America's Freedom Festival At Provo
The festivities usually include a patriotic service, hot air balloon launches, a carnival, and a parade. Among the most popular events included is a Colonial Heritage fair, in which colonial skills, craftsmanship, and history are taught and celebrated.
Controversies
In 2008, disbarred attorney Jack Thompson was awarded the Freedom Award by the Freedom Festival, despite trying to remove first amendment protections for video games and social media posts.
In May, 2015, America's Freedom Festival disallowed the group Mormons Building Bridges from marching in the America's Freedom Festival Parade, after an unsuccessful bid to join the parade the prior year. Mormons Building Bridges was planning a march of gay and transgender military veterans. No explanation was given for the rejection.
On July 3, 2017, Encircle, a Provo-based LGBT+ resource center reported that they were no longer allowed to participate in the America's Freedom Festival Parade, despite prior approval. They were told that they could not participate because they were being classified as an “advocacy group." State Senator Jim Dabakis called on the state legislature to discontinue the $100,000 per year funding the state provided the festival, stating, "to force state taxpayers to participate and support this board, which is clearly over the line, is morally reprehensible."
References
- ^ Utah Valley Adventure Passport. Utah Valley Convention and Visitor's Bureau. 2007.
- ^ "America's Freedom Festival at Provo - Press Room". freedomfestival.org. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
- ^ "Stadium of Fire is blast with Idol star and stripes". Deseret News. 2 July 2006. Archived from the original on July 4, 2006.
- ^ "Reference at www.heraldextra.com".
- ^ "Jack Thompson Given Freedom Award". escapistmagazine.com. 3 July 2008.
- ^ "GP editorial: 'Jack Thompson a curious choice for freedom award'". destructoid.com. 5 July 2008.
- ^ Alexander, Leigh. "Jack Thompson Walks Out On Hearing, Bar Recommends Enhanced Disbarment". kotaku.com.
- ^ "Mormons Building Bridges again shut out of Days of '47, Freedom Festival parades". sltrib.com.
- ^ "Mormons Building Bridges denied by Days of '47 and Freedom Festival parades". mormonsbuildingbridges.org.
- ^ Harrison, Mette Ivie (4 July 2017). "Provo Freedom Festival Excludes LGBT Center". huffingtonpost.com.
- ^ "LGBTQ entry yanked at last minute from Provo 4th of July parade". sltrib.com.
- ^ Ritchey, Julia (6 July 2017). "Provo Freedom Festival's Public Funding Questioned After Barring LGBTQ Group". kuer.org.
External links
- Media related to America's Freedom Festival at Provo at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website
- America's Freedom Festival records, MSS 5999 at L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University
40°15′27″N 111°39′16″W / 40.25750°N 111.65444°W