Programs and Events
Freedom Fest
GENERAL INFORMATION
Join us July 4th (rain date July 5th) for Freedom Fest 2009 at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve in Mahomet, Illinois. The boats open at 1:00 p.m. Food concessions and kids activities start at 3:00 p.m.; Music in Motion begins at 5:00 p.m.; and at 9:00 p.m., after a tribute to our service men and women, we LIGHT UP THE LAKE with a spectacular fireworks display set to music. Admission is $1.00 per person, with children five and under free. Expenses continue to increase, so additional contributions will be greatly appreciated.
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED
Volunteers are needed to work at the gates. Shifts are 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. People interested should keep in mind this may involve standing for long periods of time and working in hot weather, but it's also a lot of fun! Call (217) 586-3360 or e-mail hq@ccfpd.org.
HELPFUL INFORMATION
For safety reasons, personal fireworks (including sparklers) and alcoholic beverages are not allowed.
In the event of rain, Freedom Fest will be rescheduled for July 5th. Unless we announce on this website or on our recorded message at 586-3360 that the event is canceled, it is still on.
The recommended viewing area for fireworks is next to Lake of the Woods Pavilion, near the Little Golden Gate Bridge. A number of people also sit on the peninsula on the other side of the Little Golden Gate Bridge. It is possible that the music will not be heard as easily on that side, although we do try, and the ground displays are not always visible from that area.
From 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., the main gate will be one-way for entering traffic only. If you want to exit during that time, you will need to leave the park via the Route 47 gate.
After the show, if exiting the Main Gate, cars in the right lane must turn right; cars in the left lane must turn left. If exiting the Tin Cup Road gate, cars in the right lane will be directed straight onto Tin Cup Road, and cars in the left lane will need to turn left and follow the signs around to Prairieview Road. Please be patient. We will do our best to get you out of the preserve after the show in a timely, but safe manner.
Please observe the blocked off areas near the firing line. We cannot shoot fireworks if anyone unauthorized is in the fallout area. This is a safety factor and a legal requirement and must be followed.
THANKS TO THESE 2009 SPONSORS!
Grand Finale Sponsor
P&P Service Center
Cracklin' Delight Sponsors
First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust
Ice Cream Express
Schoonover Sewer Service
Mark Williams, DMD
Roman Candle Sponsors
Busey Bank
Champaign Sportsman's Club
Clark Plumbing & Heating
Galen Dale, DDS
Dean's Superior Blueprint
Filippo's Restaurant
Fisher National Bank of Mahomet
Keller's Willow Springs Carpet & Upholstery
Mahomet Ace Hardware
Mahomet Chamber of Commerce
Mahomet Chiropractic & Wellness Center
Mahomet Insurance Centre
Reynolds Towing Service
Sherman's Small Engine Repair
Valerie Woodruff, DDS
Bottle Rocket Sponsors
The Brush Man
Clodfelder Insurance Agency
Dig It of Champaign
Eastwood Plaza KES Properties
Evans, Froehlich, Beth & Chamley, Attorneys
Mahomet Car Connection
Mahomet IGA
Mahomet McDonald's
US Pro United Services
Sparkler Sponsors
C-U West
FreeStar Bank
Gary & Trudy Matthews - Mahomet Area Youth Club
Wissmiller Computer Services
Groups Volunteering Services
Area Garbage Service
Area Musicians
Arrow Ambulance
Boy Scouts of America
Cornbelt Fire Protection District
ESDA of Mahomet
New Day Community Church
Thanks to our volunteers at the gates and on the firing line, and to Rusty Shafer of Music in Motion for providing the musical accompaniment!
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2009 FOOD VENDORS
Ice Cream Express
Ice cream in homemade waffle cones, funnel cakes, corn dogs and lemon shake-ups
New Day Community Church
Popcorn
Wood Wagon
Barbeque, hot dogs and orange shake-ups
OTHER VENDORS
New Day Community Church
Glow-in-the-dark items
DIRECTIONS
Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve is located in Mahomet, Illinois, 10 miles west of Champaign-Urbana on I-74, exit #174 or #172. The physical address is 109 S. Lake of the Woods Rd., Mahomet, IL.
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