Willard’s Freedom Fest hits 59th year, weather hiccups
Mayor Samuel Snider presents Beth and Mike Atchison with the proclamation honoring their son, the late Justin Atchison, for his contributions as a coach in Willard High School athletics.
The Willard High School baseball team gathers for a group picture with their newly presented Mayor’s Award for Excellence.
The Willard High School volleyball team are all smiles after receiving the Mayor’s Award for Excellence.
Elisabeth Walters, 14, and Ryan Nothum prepare cotton candy under a tent at the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints. The church provided festival goers with free parking for the Freedom Fest, as well as free cotton candy, free bottled water and free genealogy mapping.
Shayla Stills gets splashed by her son, Liam, 2, during the Aquatic Center Pool Party. (Photos by Steve Chapman)
Despite a tumultuous weather forecast, thousands turned out for Willard’s 59th Annual Freedom Fest, Fourth of July celebration last Saturday. Although some events were postponed due to rain, including the car show, several events did take place, including a watermelon eating contest for kids and a ceremony honoring local athletes.
During Freedom Fest, Willard Mayor Samuel Snider made a special announcement, in which he read a proclamation honoring the late Justin Atchison, who was an assistant coach for the Willard High School football and baseball teams. Snider declared Saturday, June 26, 2021 to be Justin Atchison Day, in honor of Atchison’s contributions to teams as a coach; afterwards, he presented the proclamation to Mike and Beth Atchison, Justin Atchison’s parents.
Snider also presented the Mayor’s Award for Excellence to the Willard High School volleyball and baseball teams, both of which won state championships this year.
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