Freedom Fest dazzles Edwards community, patriots

Published July 10, 2013
By Jet Fabara
412th Test Wing Public Affairs

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Undaunted by the summer heat, more than 3,000 Edwards members came out for this year's Freedom Fest activities July 4 at Wings and Roberts Fields.

Hosted by the 412th Force Support Squadron, the event was free to the entire Edwards community and required the assistance of many volunteers to make this year's festivities run smoothly.

"Approximately 300 volunteers came from variety of different squadrons," said Terry Stegman, 412th Force Support Squadron Oasis Community Center director and Freedom Fest special events coordinator. "Of those volunteering, members from the 412th FSS, 412th Civil Engineer Division, 412th Security Forces Squadron, the 412th Medical Group, Weapons Safety, Ground Safety, the Edwards Fire Department, and private organizations were instrumental throughout the whole event."

In order to combat the triple digit temperature, event coordinators also provided free drinking water, first aid stations with cold water, water rides so attendees could keep cool, and shaded tent areas to sit and get out of the heat, according to Stegman.

To culminate the event, a fireworks extravaganza, accompanied by patriotic music, gave spectators an explosive finale to the day's festivities.

"Overall, this was a very successful event with great attendance, great music and, as always, great fun for everyone that wouldn't have been possible without all our contributors and volunteers" added Stegman.