“Forget the price of gas, ‘go green’ and plan your summer vacation right here in Austin during Spamtown USA Freedom Fest,” Sandy Forstner advises.

Austin’s annual celebration of community and the Fourth of July will feature three days of music, food, fireworks and family entertainment, July 3-5, according to the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce’s executive director.

“And there’s more,” Forstner added.

Related activities extend the calendar of events from June 26, when the Spamtown Minnesota Challenge baseball tournament begins, to July 6, when the Morning Lions cap activities with their annual Fly-in Breakfast at the Austin Airport.

Independence Day is a prime opportunity for communities everywhere to celebrate being American and show their community pride.

In Austin, it’s hard to imagine America’s most popular summertime holiday without the Spamtown USA Freedom Fest. “What would Austinites do?” is the question to ponder.

“Many events combine to offer a myriad of entertainment options for residents and visitors, while showcasing our community and bolstering our local economy,” Forstner said.

There will be something for everyone during this year’s Freedom Fest he predicted.

“The festival calendar includes three street dances and a new country/rock ‘n’ roll music fest,” Forstner said.

There will 17 hours of free family entertainment at Bandshell Community Park, the Fourth of July parade, and two nights of fireworks.

Baseball teams from around the country — 32 in all — will compete in two separate tournaments. Running, biking and fishing contests will offer opportunities to participate and compete.

A new Miss Austin will be crowned along with a Junior Miss and Little Miss Austin.

Scores of entertainers will provide a wide variety of musical entertainment, everything from classical to country and blues.

“And, of course, there will be a great selection of summer foods and refreshments, children’s games and rides, arts and crafts, and more,” Forstner said.

Obviously, the chamber director is a huge Freedom Fest fan.

“Community celebrations, such as ours, are about family, friends and neighbors,” he said. “They are the direct result of people working and pooling their resources together to entertain others.

“ They improve our quality of life. They provide a time when we all can come together as family and friends to celebrate this place we call home,” he wrote in a recent Chamber Outlook column. “I hope everyone takes the time to spend some time in Austin during Freedom Fest.”

So popular is the Freedom Fest that it forced the city of Lyle to postpone its own celebration from Independence Day to the weekend before the big holiday.

The conflict with parades — Austin’s at 11 a.m., Lyle’s at 1 p.m. and Blooming Prairie’s at 2:30 p.m., all on the same day — didn’t allow for parade units to travel from one community’s parade to another. Nor did it allow parade-watchers enough time to enjoy their favorite parade on Independence Day.

Now, all is well and there’s no conflict with any of the popular community celebrations.

The Austin festival is organized by the chamber, and made possible by the generous support of more than 150 businesses and organizations, according to Forstner, as well as scores of volunteers.

Forstner admitted the support comes this summer at a time when businesses are struggling due to a soft economy.

“We know these are challenging times for many businesses, and want to extend a huge ‘thank you’ to all who continue to support these events,” he said. “We’re hoping that their generosity will be rewarded in the coming months by the thousands of people who enjoy these events.”

For a complete list of Freedom Fest events in Austin, visit the chamber office for a brochure or visit the chamber’s Web site at austincoc.com.

Other events on the chamber calendar include their annual Ag Appreciation Summer Cookout, to be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 15 at the Mower County Fairgrounds. A complete dinner featuring Hormel Windsor chops will be served. Tickets are available at the chamber and at the door.