ALCOA, Tenn. (WATE) — Long before fireworks lit up the night sky Saturday, families were already gathering at the Alcoa Duck Pond, spreading out lawn chairs, blankets and picnic dinners for a tradition many say is about more than the annual fireworks show.
The City of Alcoa’s annual FreedomFest brought community members together to celebrate the upcoming Independence Day holiday, with many families arriving hours early to spend the evening with relatives and friends before the fireworks display.
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For Ken and Amanda Blackshire, attending FreedomFest has become a tradition spanning more than two decades.
“It’s a tradition. It’s a family tradition,” Amanda Blackshire said. “My family used to come out to FreedomFest as a tradition, and I started bringing him along with me when we got married. We just really love the atmosphere, the fireworks, all that stuff.”…