Car show headlines July 4 Fest
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

Staff Photo by Burlon Parsons Exquisite fireworks explosions like this one from last year's Freedom Fest will be seen again this year.

Building community spirit is the idea behind the Wharton Freedom Fest and the best way to do that is to get the people out and mingling with each other.

The idea is the basis behind two of the event's most popular events, the barbecue cook-off and Car and Motorcycle Show, with judging for both events set for Saturday, July 28.

The evening schedule for this year's festival starts with the march in of emergency providers - fire, law enforcement and EMS - along with veterans with a memorial service immediately following the march, according to event coordinator David Copeland.

Free live music and dancing will begin at 7:30 p.m. with Aces over Eights performing until 9:30 p.m.

The annual fireworks show will be held from 9:30-9:45 p.m. and followed by more free music and dancing with Steel Country until midnight.

Cook-Off Chairman Russell Machann said his event was started several years ago as a way to raise funds for a particular project that involved county pride.

"The original intent was to raise money for the courthouse restoration project," he said. "Now the proceeds go toward paying for the fireworks show with any additional money donated to local civic groups for various projects.

"But the event is strictly about having fun."

An experienced cook himself, Machann said that background helps him make things interesting for the cooking teams.

"This is a more casual cookoff," he said.

"But this year, we are offering a $500 cash prize for the top team. I'd love to build the event up to 30 teams. Historically, the numbers have been between 17 and 22."

And providing entertainment for the public is in keeping with the whole idea of the weekend.

"Freedom Fest was developed along the lines of the Fourth of July picnics that communities used to hold in the past," Machann said.

"We want to get families out and doing things together and doing things with their neighbors."

Car and Motorcycle show cochair Freddie Pekar also hopes to bring out the crowds for his event, planned for Saturday. The show is being held for only the second time after the inaugural show two years ago was rained out.

"We're expecting to get 100 entries, but we might actually exceed that," he said.

"We've already got 40 pre-entries including a number from out-of-town.

Last year, we had exhibitors from San Antonio, Galveston, Houston and other cities. We've even got one group in town, Dragonfire Racing, that will be showing some of its exotic cars."

Pekar also likes the location that Freedom Fest has set aside for the show.

"We have in Riverside Park by the pavilion and the playground," he said.

"So it really provides a real family atmosphere. And with the (Colorado) River behind us, it's just a great setting for seeing all these great driving machines."

The entry fee for the car show is $20 with check-in from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 28. Judging starts at noon with awards presented at 3 p.m. Contacts for the car show are Freddie Pekar, 532-5805; Earl Yackel, 677-3344 and David Voulgaris, 533-2539.

Check-in for the cook-off is Friday from noon to 7 p.m. with an entry fee of $75 per team. Judging will start at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

While the initial entry cut-off was June 20, Machann said late entries will be accepted until Friday's check-in deadline. For information on the cook-off, call 532-1862.

Registration forms for both events are available from the Wharton Chamber of Commerce and on the chamber Web site at www.whartonchamber.com.