It's a great time of the year for Linton

Next Saturday kicks off my favorite time of year to be a Lintonian: The Linton Freedom Festival.

Two weeks of events that include music, carnival rides, the parade, fireworks, and, of course, birthday cake for me!

When I was little I always felt like the town was hosting a giant party leading up to my July 6 birthday. It's silly, but I still liked to pretend.

The Linton Freedom Festival is a time of year we can invite our college friends back to our hometown without worrying if they are missing their big city leisures -- like 24 hour restaurants and clubs.

The first event will be the Linton Freedom Festival Car Show presented by the Classic Cruisers on Saturday, June 23 in the park, with registration from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and awards being given at 3 p.m.

I know nothing about car motors or models, but I like the pretty colors and varying designs.

Music in the bandshell is the event that gets my parents and I together at the park. My dad and I share a love for music so we gather around the bandshell every year to listen to the local bands.

King McQueen will be taking the stage Friday, June 29 at 7 p.m., which tops my list of favorite performers. Lead singer Heather Dawn Smith rocked the vocals during a cover of Paris (Ooh La La) by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals last year.

Wikker Elefant will be at the bandshell Saturday, June 30 at 8 p.m. Ozzy Osborne songs intrigue my dad, while I enjoy their Evanescence covers.

Another of my favorites is US 231, which will perform on my birthday at 7 p.m. Tom Petty covers and their rendition of "Amy" by the Pure Prairie League always bring me back.

Other performers include Mike Fonderhide and Friends with Classic Country, Lee and Holly (Lynn) Marcum with Gospel and Patriotic, and many more spanning throughout the course of June 29 to July 7.

Who can forget the carnival? James Gang Amusement will be in town July 2 to 7 with an array of carnival rides.

Don't forget the funnel cakes and lemon shake-ups. Yum!

The parade and fireworks never disappoint. You are sure to run into an old friend, or get some extra candy thrown to you from a family member riding on a float.

The Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce and volunteers work hard to present the whole list of events for the Linton Freedom Festival.

I was able to go behind the scenes with them as they prepared last year, and I was so surprised how much went into getting everything ready.

I was just used to showing up and enjoying myself that I didn't realize those who were putting the festivities together didn't get to see first hand their annual creation.

If you get a chance, thank a Chamber member or volunteer for donating their time as they are out mowing, putting up partitions, lining up the parade or standing too close to explosives during the fireworks display.

Sabrina is a staff writer for the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached by email at swestfall@gcdailyworld.com or by telephone at 847-4487.