Freedom fest marshals may win airline tickets

Published 12:00 am Thursday, April 11, 2002

The Grand Marshals of this year's Freedom Fest in the Heartland parade will have the chance to, literally, fly away.

Cindy Samuel, executive director of the festival that will be held July 4-7, said the marshals of the parade are the American heroes, i.e., firefighters, emergency medical technicians, veterans, National Guardsmen, medical personnel, postal workers and police officers.

One of those groups will have their organization randomly drawn. In return, the winning organization decides in its own manner who will receive two roundtrip Northwest Airlines tickets anywhere in the continental United States.

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The tickets are courtesy of Northwest Airlines and 4 Seasons Travel, Inc. Samuel said the drawing will take place July 7 during the Concert in the Park festivities at the Bandshell Park.

Samuel said the festivities on July 4 will be memorable, especially the parade. There will be eight marching bands on the parade route, and those bands will unite during the parade at a designated time to play "America the Beautiful."

"It will express our feelings as proud Americans," Samuel said.

There will also be special seating during the parade for veterans. "They'll be able to sit and see every unit perform in front of the judges stand.

Later that night in Horace Austin Park, there will be a spotlight salute of American heroes. The Olympic torch will be run around Mill Pond while the Austin Community Band plays. This will all happen just before a fireworks show, Samuel said.

On July 7 at 4 p.m., there will be an Americans Standing Together march. Samuel said participants are asked to wear patriotic colors and will march down Main Street with the Freedom Fest Marching Band playing along the way. The parade will start at 4th Avenue and Main (behind Granle's Framing) to the Bandshell Park.

Dan Fields can be reached at 434-2230 or by e-mail at dan.fields@austindailyherald.com