Crossroads Freedom Fest weekend has arrived

By Tim Eberhart, executive director
Rainsville Chamber of Commerce
Newspaper column for June 25, 2010 edition

 Track and field superstar Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia holds the world records for 1,500 meters, 3,000 meters, 5,000 meters, and 10,000 meters. He has three Olympic gold medals. Also, off the oval track he is the most successful cross country racer of the 21st century, thus far. His younger brother Tariku is his closest racing peer.

Bekele’s 5,000 meter record of 12 minutes and 37.35 seconds should be safe on Saturday morning in Rainsville despite the fact over 300 runners and walkers are expected for the 2nd annual Freedom 5K Fun Run/Walk. I don’t think the Bekele brothers are going to be able to make it. But, according to event organizers, people from all over the southeastern USA have pre-registered for the race including some from track clubs in some larger cities, and some racing families from as far away as Kentucky.

I have registered for the race. I plan to draft as much as possible, and with the right combination of walking, jogging, sunscreen and water, I should have no problem covering the 3.1 mile course in about 33 minutes and 33 seconds.

The run will start at 8:00 AM. You may register Saturday morning starting at 7:00 AM at Broadway Baptist Church.
 
The 5K will mark the start of a big Crossroads Freedom Fest weekend in Rainsville. Also on Saturday, there will be a cruise-in car show from 5:30 to 8:30 PM at First Bank of the South.

On Sunday afternoon, bring your lawn chairs to the Rainsville City Park to enjoy music and food. The kids can enjoy playing on inflatables in the Kids Zone until they are exhausted. Admission will be free. The festivities start at 3:00 PM. The huge fireworks show should be between 8:30 and 8:45 PM.

If you don’t come for the food, music, or fireworks, come to see the new, improved park stage. It is now over 1200 square feet. Jimmy Traylor Construction completed the project last week, and did a wonderful job.

Volunteers from Rainsville First Baptist Church organize and carry out the Freedom Fest, the Freedom 5K, and the Cruise-In each year.

It will be an awe-inspiring spectacle to see hundreds of runners and walkers on Saturday morning, and perhaps a few thousand folks in the park on Sunday.

I’ll see you there Sunday—if I survive Saturday.

Contact info

Rainsville Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 396; Rainsville, AL 35986

115 Main Street West
PHONE: 256-638-7800