Kiddie Parade at Freedom Fiesta. Photo by Lizz Daniels
(Seguin) — Sometimes a name is more than just words. Sometimes it’s a tradition, a memory, and a connection that spans generations.
That’s certainly true when it comes to Freedom Fiesta.
After weeks of discussion and public feedback, we are pleased to announce that Seguin’s longtime Fourth of July celebration will continue to carry the Freedom Fiesta name. The decision comes after leaders with KWED Radio and the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce reached an agreement that will preserve the name and ensure that it remains part of the community’s Independence Day celebration for years to come.
“Freedom Fiesta has become much more than the name of an event. It represents a tradition that generations of Seguin families have celebrated together. The Chamber is proud to support keeping the Freedom Fiesta name alive because it belongs in the hearts of this community, and preserving traditions that strengthen Seguin is perfectly aligned with our mission,” Chamber President Chester Jenke.
The announcement comes as Seguin prepares to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, also known as the Semiquincentennial, with what organizers hope will be one of the biggest Fourth of July celebrations in the city’s history.
The name Freedom Fiesta was originally created in 1967 by the late Clydie Brodt for the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce. For decades, the chamber organized the event before handing operations over to KWED Radio in 2014.
“Every year that we hosted the event, I always tried to give a shoutout to Mrs. Brodt. She could not have come up with a better name for this community’s celebration of Independence Day,” said Darren Dunn, general manager and partner at KWED Radio.
While plans had been announced earlier this year to rebrand the event as the Red, White & Seguin Festival, the response from the community made one thing abundantly clear: people wanted Freedom Fiesta.
To say the proposed name change was unpopular would be an understatement.
Many residents didn’t care who owned the name, who hosted the event, or the legal and logistical issues surrounding it. They cared about what Freedom Fiesta represented. For generations of families, it has become synonymous with celebrating Independence Day in Seguin.
And in many ways, organizers say the community was right.
The event belongs to the people of Seguin.
One of the biggest lessons learned throughout the process was just how important Freedom Fiesta is to the community. It isn’t simply a festival. It is a deeply meaningful celebration of America’s history and of the pride that residents have in both their country and their hometown.
Fortunately, community leaders found a solution.
Under the new agreement, KWED will continue organizing Freedom Fiesta. If circumstances ever change and KWED is no longer able to host the event, the Freedom Fiesta name will remain available so the tradition can be carried forward by future organizers.
Dunn says the entire community is grateful to the leadership of the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce for helping make that possible. He says KWED has also been working with the city of Seguin to help make this year’s celebration one to remember.
“I’m excited that we are able to partner with the City of Seguin to make this year’s celebration even bigger,” said Dunn. “It’s America’s Semiquincentennial. I’m old enough to remember what a big deal it was when we celebrated the Bicentennial year. I still remember collecting those quarters. We aren’t creating a specialized coin, but I think we are creating memories for the people of Seguin. I hope that people will look back fondly at Seguin’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.”
The partnership between KWED and the city of Seguin is helping expand this year’s event with additional food vendors, beverage options, entertainment and family activities.
The day begins with the traditional Flag Raising Ceremony and the Biggest Small Town Fourth of July Parade in Texas. Organizers have also partnered with the Seguin Main Street Program to bring additional food and beverage vendors downtown throughout the day.
“We’ve teamed up with the Seguin Main Street Program to bring food and beverage vendors down to Central Park before, during and after the parade,” said Dunn. “You’ll be able to choose from a variety of options. We think it’s just another way for people to enjoy what’s available that day in downtown Seguin.”
The evening festivities return to Central Park, where vendors will begin opening at 4 p.m. The official Freedom Fiesta celebration begins at 6 p.m. with the annual Kiddie Parade and Presentation of Colors.
Children are encouraged to dress in patriotic attire and decorate their bicycles, scooters and wagons before joining Uncle Sam for one of the community’s most beloved traditions.
Entertainment will include music throughout downtown, featuring DJ D’Trayne and the return of Clint Taft & The Buckwild Band. Festival-goers can also enjoy giant dancing robots, fire spinners and other specialty entertainment.
Families will once again enjoy the Kids Kingdom featuring bounce houses and activities for children, while adults can take advantage of food vendors, specialty beverages, mocktails and the return of the popular Beer Garden.
Organizers hope the combination of long-standing traditions and new attractions will make this year’s Freedom Fiesta one of the largest Independence Day celebrations in Seguin history.
Most importantly, they hope the event continues doing what it has done since 1967 — bringing people together to celebrate America, community and hometown pride.
Freedom Fiesta will be held July 4 in downtown Seguin and Central Park. The evening festival runs from 6 to 11 p.m. and is free to attend.
Sponsors are still being sought for the event. For sponsorship information, call KWED at 830-379-2234 or email darren@kwed1580.com.