FreedomFest History

In 1974, the very active Alcoa High School American Field Service (AFS) Program wanted to show students from foreign countries how Americans celebrated Independence Day. Rose McConnell, an Alcoa resident, and Martha Wright, an Alcoa teacher, came up with the idea of having a display of fireworks.

They contacted the Fire Chief Clarence Story who agreed to assist them and suggested the duck pond area for the fireworks. The Alcoa High School AFS Club gave the two ladies $75.00 to buy fireworks.With no fireworks establishments in Blount County, they traveled to Loudon County to make their purchase. They returned with not only their $75 worth, but with an additional $25 worth of fireworks that the store owner gave them.

As Carl McConnell, Rose’s husband, later reported, "The turnout was good on that first Fourth of July fireworks and someone decided that this should be done each July 4th; hence, our City's tradition of having a fireworks display on Independence Day. The annual display has now grown to a large event with magnificent fireworks and large crowds, but this event is rooted, as is so much of Alcoa's life, in the volunteer efforts of my wife Rose, Martha Wright, and others who wanted to show foreign students how we celebrated freedom in America."

On Independence Day in 1976, approximately 900 shells were shot in the upper field of the park at the corner of Springbrook and Alcoa Road. For safety reasons, the shoot was later moved inside the fence of the swimming pool. Twelve years ago, problems at the pool site developed. Water began filling the holes dug for the fireworks causing the need to relocate to the present site at Alcoa Elementary School. The original cost of the annual display is unknown, but it was probably a few thousand dollars. Those attending FreedomFest 2007 saw over 7,000 shells choreographed to a variety of patriotic music explode at a cost of $32,000.

The Alcoa Fire-Rescue Department is responsible for all the setup and the firing of the shells. Only the firefighters kept the show going by continuously loading and shooting – all by hand. The first few years, cigars provided by the City Manager were used for lighting the fuses, and later railroad flares attached to broomsticks were used. In 1999, the show became a fully choreographed show with shells being lit electronically from a firing board.

Soundtrack production, shell selection, cueing, and cue delivery are the four basic building blocks of a successful choreographed fireworks program. It requires creativity, cooperation, and careful planning to pull these four elements together.

The City of Alcoa Fire-Rescue Department is honored to put their experience and creativity to work so that the FreedomFest fireworks display will make memories that will last into the next century. The firefighters’ fame as fireworks experts has grown. All firefighters in the department are trained in the handling of the shells and many assist with other fireworks shows in the area. They also shoot fireworks for other occasions than Independence Day celebrations such as football games, dedications, and other holiday displays.

The annual fireworks display has now grown into an all day family event, offering a large variety of food, entertainment, crafts and children’s activities culminating in one of the premier fireworks displays in the South. City employees in all departments take pride and participate in planning and coordinating the festival. The event is held the Saturday prior to July 4th. This date allows visitors and residents to see other displays in the area in and around July 4th and also lets City employees enjoy the holiday with their families.

Additional information and vendors applications will be available at this site in early 2008 or you may contact Tricia Tipton, City of Alcoa Special Events Coordinator, by phone at (865) 380-4787 or by email at freedomfest@cityofalcoa-tn.gov.