(Atlantic) A large crowd turned out at the Atlantic Sunnyside Park on Friday to celebrate the Fourth of July during the “Freedom Festival.” The event ran from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. and offered a wide variety of activities for all ages. Highlights included live music from Dirt Road Divide, a burger battle, hot dog eating contest, slow-pitch softball, food trucks, professional face painting, pony rides, spray foam fun, and water fights — all capped off with a fireworks show after dark by Dan Vargason.
Ali Pieken, of the Park and Rec. Commission, one of the organizer’s for the event, expressed her appreciation for the people who came out to enjoy the evening.
The evening kicked off with the burger battle, sponsored by the Cass County Beef Producers. Jacquelyn Freund, Cass County Beef Queen, presented the awards:
Duane Weirich, of Team Weirich custom BBQ captured the first place prize of $200.00.
Team “Fergilicious” (Cyndi and Kevin Ferguson) finished runner-up.
Team Mike Smith, and Chris Parks, finished third.
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Eleven contestants competed in the Hot Dog eating contest, which drew a large gathering.
Matthew Pollock won it downing eleven Hot Dogs in ten minutes.
