Jim Evans, Freedom Festival executive director, and Bill Freeze, chairman of the collectible pins event, visited Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi on Thursday for the 12th annual unveiling. This year’s pin, themed “Protect and Serve,” honors police officers, firefighters and other first responders.

“We began the pin program as a way to teach and recognize examples of freedom in our community and throughout the country,” Freeze said. “Patriotism is alive and well in Utah County and this year we are pleased to recognize our first responders, the Provo Police and Fire Fighters along with our Paramedics and emergency personnel.”

The pins are sponsored by Central Bank and are officially referred to as the “2023 Central Bank Freedom Pin.” Robison Fine Jewelers is also a sponsor and designer of the pins. They are helping to provide 1,000 pins to the community.

Each first responder and sponsor will receive a pin. Provo City staff includes 120 police officers and 80 firefighters. “One of the driving forces behind our new city building was to provide updated facilities for these two departments and it has really paid off in increased moral, better training and the ability to recruit new personnel,” Kaufusi said.

Courtesy Provo City

Members of the general public may purchase them for $5 at Central Bank locations, Provo’s 311 desk inside the city building, the Utah Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Freedom Festival offices.

“I can’t think of more deserving recipients to honor on the 2023 Freedom Pin than our courageous public safety servants,” Kaufusi said. “They risk their lives to secure our community’s safety — how can we ever say ‘thank you’ enough?”

The Freedom Festival’s flagship patriotic program for youth, “Hope of America” will be held May 9-11, followed by the yearly Memorial Day service and the Mayor’s prayer breakfast.

Stadium of Fire, scheduled for July 1, features the iconic rock band “Journey” with tickets selling fast and expected to sell out by the end of May, Evans said.

“The excitement over this year’s Freedom Festival is really building,” he added. “With over 30 events from May through July there is something for everyone to enjoy and celebrate.”

The 2023 Central Bank Freedom Pins come in two colors, blue and red.