The Greenwood Freedom Festival is set to dazzle residents and visitors alike this Saturday, serving as the grand kickoff to Johnson County’s Independence Day celebrations. Embraced by a community rich in patriotic spirit, the festival promises an unforgettable commencement to the Fourth of July festivities, complete with parades, live performances, and a mesmerizing fireworks display at dusk. As anticipation builds, attendees look forward to immersing themselves in the celebratory atmosphere, underscored by the melodies of iconic bands, the laughter from the Kids Zone, and the shared joy of commemorating America’s independence together.

At the heart of the celebrations, the Greenwood Freedom Festival invites one and all to Craig Park, where the afternoon will burst into life with a parade starting at 4 p.m., featuring marching bands, local heroes, and vibrant floats winding through Old Town. As the day progresses, guests will be treated to electrifying live music with The Big 80s and the Flying Toasters taking center stage, promising to get everyone on their feet. The festival’s commitment to family fun shines through with the return of the Kids Zone, offering an array of activities including inflatables and face painting, ensuring smiles all around. With the festival’s crowd-pulling power, demonstrated by more than 50,000 attendees in previous years, this year’s edition is poised to be a memorable prelude to America’s birthday bash.

But the festivities in Johnson County don’t stop with the Freedom Festival. Throughout the following week, locals and visitors alike will find themselves spoilt for choice with a range of Independence Day celebrations spanning the region. From the Light Up the Sky event at Aspen Trace to the energetic Sparks in the Park, and from the Greater Greenwood Community Band’s Patriotic Concert to the family-friendly Peoga Parade, the county is buzzing with excitement. Each event, whether it’s the Edinburgh Firecracker Festival or the Red, White, and Blueberry Festival at Mallow Run Winery, offers a unique blend of entertainment, food, and fireworks, promising to spread the Fourth of July cheer far and wide across Johnson County. As the community comes together to celebrate freedom, unity, and national pride, these events showcase the very best of American spirit in a time-honored tradition that continues to inspire and delight.