Festival featuring El Caribe, Santa Mamba, Entrain and the Dartmouth Community Band to draw thousands
The Bristol County Savings Bank Freedom Festival at UMass Dartmouth, an alcohol-free, family-oriented event featuring great music and fireworks, will be held July 3 on the athletic fields at the UMass Dartmouth Tripp Athletic Center. The festival, open to the public, is made possible by a grant from the Bristol County Savings Bank as well as contributions from the Town of Dartmouth, Not Your Average Joe's, Xerox, Compass Group USA, Inc., and Blue Spruce Technologies, Inc. New sponsors this year include Fun 107/WBSM 1420 with additional sponsorship opportunities remaining.
Admission is free and there will be no charge for on-campus parking.
The location for viewing of the fireworks display has been moved from the center of campus to the athletic fields due to campus construction projects.
"UMass Dartmouth is excited to join with Bristol County Savings Bank and our other partners to celebrate Independence Day with our community,'' UMass Dartmouth Divina Grossman said. "This is a wonderful opportunity for families from across the region to enjoy a night of music, fun, and fireworks on our campus."
"Being a community bank, we are especially proud to partner with UMass Dartmouth once again this year and offer this fun, family-oriented event to the Southcoast Region," said Patrick J. Murray, President and CEO, Bristol County Savings Bank. "The Freedom Festival is always a special evening which celebrates the area's community and national spirit and the Bank is honored to do its part."
The musical fun kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with Santa Mamba, followed at 6:30 p.m. by El Caribe, comprised of UMass Dartmouth students and faculty and one of the only university steel bands in the state. Entrain will take the stage at 7:10 p.m. and the 40-member Dartmouth Community Band will wrap up the music portion of the evening with patriotic and classic American songs.
The fireworks will take place at 9:15 p.m.
Upwards of 15,000 people are expected attend the event.
Guests are invited to arrive any time after 3 p.m. to find the best available parking and seating. Concession stands and vendors will also be selling a variety of foods, beverages and novelty products.
There will be comprehensive security measures taken. Please limit what you bring onto campus.
Traffic, public safety and parking plans are in place through the coordinated efforts of university, local and state police. Vehicular access to campus will be closed when all on-campus parking spaces are filled and no later than 9 p.m. Parking will be banned along Old Westport Road throughout the evening.