(Atlantic, Iowa) – Sunnyside Park will be the site for celebrating the 4th of July, Friday, in Atlantic. A majority of events for the “Freedom Festival 2025,” will be held on the lower side of Sunnyside Park (near the pool and Splash Pad), with fireworks launched on the north side of Atlantic from the Bike Farm. Atlantic Parks and Rec Advisory Commission member Ali Pieken  says the Festival is a collaborative effort.

Some of the highlights of the event July 4th at Sunnyside Park include a Burger Battle from 5-until 7-p.m., and a Hotdog eating contest along with Slow Pitch Softball, both beginning at 6-p.m. The softball game features Team Greg Young vs. Team Cass EMS. Pieken says there’s something for everyone.

Parking will be available on the Cass County Fairgrounds. Cass County Deputy Sheriff Spencer Walton is in charge of the Burger Battle, where as many as 10 teams or individuals are able to register and show off their creative recipe and grilling skills, because grilling out is one of the best ways to celebrate the 4th of July.

Prizes will be awarded to everyone who participates, with the top awards to the top three burgers as rated by four judges. Each team will get three-pounds of fresh, high-quality ground beef from the Atlantic Locker. Any person, group or business can participate. If you’re interested, please call Spencer Walton at 712-243-2344. Walton says there won’t be any public tasting of the contestant’s burgers, because they don’t want to take business away from the food truck vendors who will be on site to serve their best products.

The approximately 25-minute firework show this year, just as in 2024, will be viewable from the Atlantic Sports Complex across from KJAN, but some of the best viewing is expected to be along the Schildberg Recreational Trail, and near the pedestrian bridge over the East Nishnabotna River, located just west of the KJAN studios, off North Olive Street.

Dan Vargason is putting on the display, which he says they put a lot of hours in, preparing for.

The public will not be allowed on the Bike Farm property north of KJAN, where Steve Andersen will be hosting the show, which will begin at around 9:45-p.m. The City of Atlantic is paying for a portion of the show, but Vargason said 90-percent of the cost comes out of his pocket, and that of his dad, and while not necessary, contributions to help offset the costs are welcome.

More information on the Freedom Festival can be found by scanning this QR code: