6th Annual Freedom Fest at the Goodridge Veterans Memorial Park

It’s time to gear up for another round of fun and celebration! The 6th Annual Freedom Festival will be on Saturday, July 30th, at the Goodridge Veterans Memorial Park.

With numerous vendors set up, featured artists on display and free entertainment under the band shell all day, the event is sure to be another hit with young and old alike. Consider checking it out with some of the top picks back on the schedule, along with plenty of new additions added to the day. 

Funded in part by the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council and local sponsors, the hard work of many has resulted in a day-long event filled with music, art and activities for all ages.

The official poster and event line-up hasn’t been released yet; watch for that to come. However, the day will kick off again with the Freedom Run 5K/Fun Run. Some information about the event is shared below.

Freedom Run

Plans are in place for 5K & Fun Run on July 30th, 2022, at the 6th Annual Freedom Festival in Goodridge. Register today for $25 ahead of time, which includes a t-shirt OR $35 on race day, not including a t-shirt. Registration begins at 7:30am on Saturday, July 30th, beginning at the Veteran’s Memorial Park. 5K Freedom Run is at 8:45am with the Fun Run beginning at 10am and awards concluding the event at 12:30pm. 

Start the day off right by running or walking for a great cause. All proceeds from registration will be donated directly to Mission 22. Mission 22 is a non-profit whose goal is to end Veteran Suicide by raising awareness to mental illness, such as PTSD and traumatic brain injuries, and building treatment centers across the United States.

Registration link: https://2021freedomrun.rsvpify.com or call Jena at 218-689-6895.

Don’t forget to check out all the other amazing festivities of the day in honor of our veterans. 

Food Trucks

A variety of food trucks will be set up in Goodridge on Saturday, July 30th. A few of them are shared below.

Snowie of Warren will be at the Freedom Fest with their shaved ice and fresh squeezed lemonade.

Not only the coolest food truck around, Bjerk Concessions has great food too. Burgers & fries, corndogs, footlongs, nachos, chili cheese fries and more! Known for the best corndogs you will ever eat! They will be set up at the 6th Annual Freedom Festival on July 30th.

Wahoo Waffles will be at the 6th Annual Freedom Festival! Their delicious menu has something for everyone...morning, noon and night!

Bringing the BBQ to you this year at the 6th annual Freedom Festival is Smoke on Wheels! Come hungry leave satisfied.

Vendors in the Park 

Many vendors are scheduled to be set up in the park on Saturday, July 30th, from 11am-5pm. There is sure to be something for everyone!

Vendors Wanted

Space still available at the Goodridge Veterans Memorial Freedom Festival. Minnesota crafted: Farmer’s Market, crafters, artists, vendors. 

Vendors must provide their own tables, canopies, tents, etc. Operating hours are from 11am-5pm with setup starting at 9:30am. Vendors must stay in place until 5pm. Please mail your $20 registration form to Berny Vraa at 18767 370th Ave NE in Goodridge, MN, 56725. Or to Trudy Hyland at 33501 130th St. in Goodridge, MN, 56725. 

Veterans Honored

As a token of appreciation, the Red White & Blue Quilters from Thief River Falls will present six local veterans with handmade quilts at the 6th Annual Freedom Festival on July 30th, 2022. Veterans honored this year are Ronald Dahlen - US Army Vietnam 1968-1970, Leroy Elg - US Army Vietnam 1967-1969, Donald Jensen - US Army 1970-1972, Richard Parnow -US Army National Guard 1963-1969, Rob Blankenfeld- US Navy/ Marines 1984-1988, Billie Dean Blankenfeld - US Army 1953-1955.

Free Music

Get your dancing shoes ready as there’s music throughout the entire afternoon until 11pm in the Veteran’s Memorial Park Band Shell! 

Emcee Eric Mickelson is coming back to the 6th Annual Freedom Festival! Eric and his wife Patty will also be singing a few tunes! Make sure to get a seat under the big tent by the band shell.

Downtown Horns, known as the Red River Valley’s “Premiere Party Band,” will be performing at the 6th Annual Freedom Festival. Downtown Horns are a 9-piece band with a horn-kick playing the most recognizable and danceable hits. Plan on attending the Freedom Festival on July 30th; you won’t want to miss this fun and talented band!

The Cathy Erickson Band, from Middle River, will be performing at Freedom Festival on July 30th! Cathy’s genre is mainly polkas and waltzes with a mix of accordion, sax, and drums. Get ready for some good old-time music.

If you want to hear some good country music, Freedom Festival is the place to be! Tami Lee and The Northern Lights will be performing again this year singing classic and current country.

Featured Artists

Not only are there some great musicians lined up for the festival, but there are also going to be a number of impressive artists there throughout the day. Check them out.

Featured artist, Shannon Lucas Westrum, owner of the Wildflower Cottage in Bemidji, will be featuring her beautiful woven baskets, whisk brooms, jewelry and more! Stop by her booth at Freedom Festival.

Featured artist, Trevour from Detroit Lakes, MN, will be back this year drawing his amazing caricatures at the 6th annual Freedom Festival.

Featured artist, Kathy Bauck, is a face painter from New York Mills, and will be returning again this year with her artistic talent in face and body painting. Make sure the kids visit her booth.

Back by popular demand, Al Belleveau, from Puposky, MN, will be a featured artist at the Freedom Festival! Al is an iron artist that is amazing with the kids and teaches them the techniques of welding by creating their own masterpieces.

Janet Johnson of River’s Edge Studio from Roseau, will be a featured artist at this year’s Freedom Festival! Janet will have her hand built and wheel thrown pottery (and more) on display and for purchase.

All of this PLUS MORE at the 6th Annual Freedom Festival at the Goodridge Veterans Memorial Park. Many activities for kids – fun for the whole family! Keep an eye for the official poster and event line-up coming soon.