This thread discusses the Content article: IN OUR VIEW: Freedom Festival tops for Fourth

Best is subjective, of course, but it's hard to find anyplace that does the holiday up so well. The only fireworks show we know that might have topped Stadium of Fire was during the 1976 bicentennial at the Jefferson Memorial in Washington -- and that kind of event only comes along once a century.

Cocoa Beach, Florida did have a $70K, thirty minute, "among the largest in Central Florida", fireworks show, but decided this year that $70K is too large an amount to spend on fireworks.

Bad Economy Blows Out Central Fla. City's 4th Of July Fireworks Display
Display Costs City Up To $70,000
June 25, 2008
Local6

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Citing a downturn in the economy, Cocoa Beach officials on Wednesday announced that the city will not host a Fourth of July fireworks display this year.

Cocoa Beach city manager Charles Billias said the display, which costs up to $70,000, was too expensive.

"The barges that we've rented in the past -- we've been renting them from Jacksonville -- is anywhere from $28,000 to $30,000," Billias said.

Despite offers for monetary assistance from county and area businesses, city officials said the the price tag was too steep to host the event.

Last year's fireworks display in Cocoa Beach was among the largest in Central Florida, lasting a half-hour, officials said.

Billias said a decision on next year's display would have to be made soon because it takes about a year to plan the event.

I was at the Stadium of Fire tonight and, not having heard about it beforehand, threw up in my mouth a little when they announced Jack Thompson as one of 4 honored by the Freedom Festival. Who in the world does the research on potential candidates for such an honor? How could they completely ignore this clown's history as an unethical blowhard who's essentially the equivalent of an ambulance chaser?

Disgusting.

I suggest that people contact the Freedom Festival to voice their displeasure. I will be.

-Phone: (801) 818-1776
-Web: http://www.freedomfestival.org/public/contact

Also, I found this page on the Freedom Festival website that details the Awards Gala where Thompson was honored:

http://www.freedomfestival.org/public/event_details/17

It lists the chairperson as Vicki Garbutt. Her e-mail address is This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it I suggest that she be contacted to voice your displeasure about the embarrassment of the Freedom Festival honoring a joker like Thompson.