Environmental Responsibility, Community Well-Being as Factors in Champaign County Forest Preserve District Decision to Hold Final Freedom Fest in 2023

Champaign County Forest Preserve District makes decision to hold final Freedom Fest at Lake of the Woods in 2023

Environmental responsibility, community well-being, declining attendance and volunteer engagement all cited as factors in the decision

On June 30, 2023, the community can head out to Lake of the Woods in Mahomet for the usual Freedom Fest festivities, including music, food trucks and the end cap of the night, fireworks over the lake. That will be the final time fireworks will boom over the lake.

The Champaign County Forest Preserve District has announced that this year’s Freedom Fest will be the send-off for the long-standing Fourth of July tradition. CCFPD shares, “While bidding farewell to Freedom Fest may evoke a sense of nostalgia and disappointment for some, ending the firework show is a step toward a more sustainable and inclusive future.”

A number of factors were considered in making the difficult decision. In recent years, they have witnessed declining attendance at the event and difficulty filling the many volunteer positions needed to run the event. Beyond that, considerations related to pollution, the impact of fireworks displays to wildlife and domestic pets, and concerns for individuals who may experience traumatic memories or sensory overload all played a role in the move to bring Freedom Fest to an end.

CCFPD writes, “Fireworks have a significant impact on the very wildlife our mission charges us to protect. The loud noises and bright flashes can cause distress, disorientation, and even physical harm to animals. Wildlife suffer from increased stress levels and may abandon their homes at critical times during their breeding or nesting cycle, leaving young without food and more vulnerable to predators. Litter from firecrackers, bottle rockets and other explosives can be choking hazards for wildlife and may be toxic if ingested.” The Forest Preserve District pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a sustainable future through the 2022 Climate Commitment; this move aligns with that commitment.

Birds-eye view at Lake of the Woods in Mahomet, where the growth of trees has contributed to increasingly-limited visibility of the annual fireworks display, another factor in the decision to end Freedom Fest in 2023.

As Freedom Fest is brought to an end, the Champaign County Forest Preserve District acknowledges, “the need to protect and respect the well-being of both our resident wild animals and nearby domestic ones”, in addition to, “the importance of creating inclusive and supportive spaces that prioritize the mental and emotional well-being of all community members.”

They are looking forward to an event that will be sure to be a send-off to remember and invite the community to come out and enjoy fireworks over the lake one last time on June 30. Admission to Freedom Fest is $2 per person and children under 5 are free. Gates open at 4 p.m.

Looking for more information about our Champaign County Forest Preserve locations? Learn all about visiting each of the CCFPD locations with your family.

Champaign County Forest Preserve District makes decision to hold final Freedom Fest at Lake of the Woods in 2023

Environmental responsibility, community well-being, declining attendance and volunteer engagement all cited as factors in the decision

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