With the 4th of July weekend fast approaching, deciding what to do for the holiday may not be as easy as food, flags, fireworks and friends. Champaign-Urbana has no lack of activities planned for the holiday, but by not being so quick to dismiss events just outside of town, residents can open up a realm of rewarding possibilities.

The Freedom Fest is at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve in Mahomet, a few miles outside of CU. The event, happening July 4, is put on by the Champaign County Forest Preserve District. The district helped to re-organize and improve the event in the early 90’s.

Andee Chestnut, the public information director for the Champaign County Forest Preserve District, remembers the work it took to bring the event back on track.

Chestnut is proud of the district’s involvement and control it has over its own property. He said they tried virtually everything to ensure financial stability for the event.

“We decided to make the community event work and continue through increased visibility, fund-raisers, garage sales and a few others I can’t remember,” Chestnut said.

Chestnut is also pleasantly surprised each year by the support of the community and new sponsors every year.

“The community is so behind this program,” Chestnut said.

Chestnut believes that for a few hours they make a difference to people’s lives, especially during these tough economic times. He loves to see the reaction behind the crowd when the first firework goes off.

“That is exactly why we do this,” Chestnut said.

Among the many sponsors for the event will be the Mahomet Area Youth Club. Trudy Matthews and her husband, volunteers with the Area Youth Club, have been donating their time and money on behalf of the event.

“We enjoy the fireworks and the festivities, but since I work in the afternoon during the event I don’t see as much as others might,” Matthews said.

Matthews and her husband have been a part of the event for a little over two years and otherwise enjoy the volunteering experience.

Other sponsors of the event include a number of local businesses, food vendors and entertainment. The boats open at 1:00 p.m. Food concessions and kids activities start at 3:00 p.m.; Music in Motion begins at 5:00 p.m., and at 9:00 p.m., after a tribute to service men and women.

“It’s really hard not to think about our soldiers when the music plays and hits a sentimental area in me,” Chestnut said.

Admission for the event is $1 and children 5 and under gain free admission. For safety reasons sparklers or other personal fireworks are prohibited at the event. Pets are also allowed and Chestnut is surprised that the “dogs don’t freak out with the fireworks going off.” She said.

“We haven’t had any accidents at the event and would like to keep it that way,” Chestnut said.

Part of the safety precaution is also due to the crowds they receive for the event, ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 people.

The district is proud that there is as dedicated and trained volunteer staff who works the volunteer firing line, while most fireworks shows today are computerized.

So if you’re looking to change up your holiday a plans a little, take the short drive out to Mahomet this Saturday and celebrate food, flags, fireworks and all that the 4th of July entails.