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The Ramirez family has snacks during Freedom Fest at Imperial Valley College in Imperial on Wednesday. FROM LEFT: Emma, 7, Isis, 9, Adan, 2, Arlene (mother), and Danjomi Ramirez (father). (JOSELITO VILLERO PHOTO / July 5, 2012) |
IMPERIAL — For more than 20 years Freedom Fest and its fireworks synchronized with music have lit the sky and brought joy to the hearts of thousands of Imperial Valley residents like Veronica Tamayo who came to Imperial Valley College grounds to celebrate the Fourth of July on Wednesday.
This is the first time Tamayo came to Freedom Fest since she was 8 years old and “I’m excited,” she said.
She was looking forward to see the fireworks, Tamayo said before her boyfriend Jesus Guardado came into the conversation.
“I think everyone comes for the fireworks,” Guardado said. “I come for the good environment,” he added.
He also heard about a NASCAR driver being in the event and “I’m going to see if I can get his autograph, a shirt, or a racing opportunity. You never know — I could go pro,” Guardado said jokingly.
The NASCAR driver Guardado was referring to was Justin Lofton, this year’s guest of honor and currently second place in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
Lofton — born in Westmorland — is a homegrown product and this is the first time Lofton attended the event, said Gene Brister, chairman of the Freedom Fest 2012 committee.
KXO Radio’s FM 107.5 hosted Freedom Fest on behalf of the Imperial Chamber of Commerce with help from the Imperial Valley Joint Chambers of Commerce, he said.
More than 300 volunteers helped in organizing this year’s event, themed “Made in America.”
Brister expected as many as 50,000 attendees.
“We got a lot of people from Mexicali, Yuma and even Blythe” Brister said.
Mexicali resident Brenda Elrod and her family were among those visitors.
“This is the first time we come,” said Elrod in Spanish before praising the event’s music and the pleasant weather.
Meanwhile her daughter Paulina, 12, was playing with her brother Cesar Adrian, 7.
“It’s fun,” said Paulina about the event. She had just come from playing one of the many games set out for children and that’s what she was enjoying the most, Paulina said.
Just a few feet away Raymond Lopez and his wife, Diana, from Brawley were sitting enjoying the shade.
They came to the event “to get out of the house,” he said with a smile. However, he also came out in respect of his father, Raimundo C. Lopez, who fought in Korea.
“Today is an important day not only because of our country’s independence, but also for the soldiers that fight for our rights,” he said.
Staff Writer Alejandro Davila can be reached at 760-337-3445 or adavila@ivpressonline.com
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