The Ice Cream Festival is out but Freedom Fest is in.

City officials have thrown their full support behind the ideas presented by Ken Roberts to the city council at last Monday’s meeting to replace the fireworks displace in July.

After the city council received information that local radio station K105 would not be hosting the long-running annual ice cream festival, ways to continue the celebration were sought and Roberts put together a presentation for the council that would make a few changes and open the festival up to the community.

The mayor announced late Tuesday afternoon, the first ever Freedom Fest will take place the second weekend in July at Grayson County Middle School.

“I would like to announce the dates for the 2009 Leitchfield Freedom Fest,” Leitchfield Mayor William H. Thomason. “This event will begin on Friday July 10 and continue until the Sunday, July 11.”

One major change that is being made with this event that is different from the event of the past is the community is invited to participate in the festivities by setting up booths and vending operations.

“The Freedom Fest welcomes vending booths, activities and visitors from Leitchfield and the surrounding communities to play an active role in the success of our celebration,” said Thomason. “It will include a number of activities, and feature a fireworks display at dusk on Saturday evening and conclude with more community events on Sunday.”

The city has made it very easy to take part in this celebration. Interested clubs, civic groups and organizations are invited to visit city hall to purchase a three-day event license which will enable individuals to set up and sell items during the event.

Event organizers are still planning activities that will occur during this festival and will be announcing them through local media as soon as possible.

A website has been set up at www.leitchfieldfreedomfest.com to allow easy access to festival information and how community members can support the festival efforts.

“I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Mark Buckles and the staff of K105 for all their years of dedication, commitment and hard work that have made that this weekend so special for our community,” said Thomason. “I would also like to issue a challenge to everyone in our community to come together and help us make the Leitchfield Freedom Fest a successful event for the community by the community. “

Anyone interested in sponsoring this event or playing an active role can contact event coordinator Ken Roberts at 270-259-6164.