CLOVIS (KMJ) — The 4th of July Clovis Freedom Fest will take place this year – and that assurance comes from the CEO of the Clovis Veterans Memorial District.
“I can’t stress enough, there is no way while I’m here and these local veterans are here, are we going to have a 4th of July that is not celebrated in Clovis,” states Lorenzo Rios.
Organizer Clovis Kiwanis Club announced in April that the event had been canceled due to a lack of funds. But Rios says the Clovis Veterans Memorial District is going to do its part to make sure the event takes place.
“It’s too important to the community to not have this take place. The Veterans Memorial District, in partnership with the City of Clovis, Clovis Unified School District, and the veterans organizations and service clubs: we’re all going to come together and we are going to have a Freedom Fest this year.”
The plan is to coordinate community organizations willing to participate, both as financial sponsors and hosts, with Clovis Veterans Memorial District organizing a committee to manage all those involved.
“This is the greatest show on earth, and at a time when you see so many things around us our community needs to come out and celebrate what’s right in our community.
“Community and people partnering together is something thing worth celebrating and the 4th of July is one day that we will celebrate in Clovis.”
He adds that the District’s contacts with veterans and other community service organizations, puts it in a unique position of being able to help restore the Freedom Fest.
“By the end of the month we would like to raise at least $15,000. If we can get that kind of support by the end of the month I think it’ll put us in a better shape.
“But unequivocally I can say that we will be holding a Freedom Fest this year.”
If the money isn’t raised in time, Rios says he’ll be putting forward the cash himself.
“In absence of the District not being able to fork over the money, my family will make sure that this takes place.”
Officials reveal that that basic format of the event will remain the same as in previous years, and it will take place at 9pm July 4th inside Clovis High’s Lamonica Stadium.
Anyone who would like to help should call Clovis Veterans Memorial District on (559) 299-0471 or email [email protected].
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
