Emporia Freedom Fest 2024 Run-Ride-Ruck-Release and Recognize!

WELCOME TO OUR AMAZING 21st Emporia Freedom Fest!  Emporia Freedom Fest is a series of community events bringing together people of all ages to enjoy the outdoors, exercise, mingle and honor all Veterans and their families.  This event provides annual charitable support to the Emporia All Veterans Memorial Park;  the 137th & 635th Regimental Scholarship Fund, North Lyon County Veterans Memorial Fund, USD 252 South Lyon County Honor Flight program, and the KSARNG Enlisted Associations Programs.

2024 Updates:

Help us have another amazing year as we Run-Ride-Release-Ruck so we can Honor Veterans, the All Veterans Memorial Park and currently serving Service Members.

Our 20th Anniversary was an amazing year!  Thanks to the almost 500 participants who made it a memorable year both virtually and on-site!    On site we had over 400 participants, several dozen virtual participants including over 80 disc golfers and 90 Norwegian Foot March participants during perfect weather!  Participants came from eight states and we had virtual participants in two other countries!

Visit our webiste - emporiafreedomfest.org for all the details and use this site to register.  Registration is live the 1st of July.  Virtual events start on Patriots Day (9/11) and end on Veterans Day (11/11). ON-site events are held 11/9/2024 at the Emporia All Veterans Memorial.  Please visit emporiafreedomfest.org for details about every event.

"RUN"  Freedom Run 5k
The  5K Freedom Run is one of the flattest runs you will find in Kansas. The Course keeps to the flood plain south and east of the All Veterans Memorial Park.  Place top three in your age/gender category to win Emporia Main Street Gift community gift certificates. Top three male/female riders earn our custom bike and tank part trophies!

"RIDE"   Freedom Ride 20 and 50 mile Gravel Grinders:
Lyon County State Bank/USD 252 Vet Honor Flight - (SGT Timmerman Ride): (20 miles) Back by popular demand is our LCSB/USD 252 Veterans Honor Flight Ride (Timmerman Ride) -  This twenty mile ride takes you directly to the South Lyon County Veterans Memorial Park adjacent to Olpe High School  This is very fitting as our net proceeds for this ride support USD 252 Annual Veterans Honor Flights - to learn more about USD 252 Honor Flights visit https://www.usd252.org/page/honor-flight  We are helping fundraise for the next USD 252 Honor Flight which pairs district High School students and staff with area military veterans.  It is an awesome event!  Top three riders (male & female) earn custom tank/bike part trophies! NOTE:  E-Bikes are not eligible for awards.

Merchant Cycling (President Eisenhower) Ride: (52 miles) Our Eisenhower Ride is making a dramatic change and heading North!  Good news is we are headed for the first time to the beautiful North Lyon County Veterans Memorial Park in Bushong Kansas.  We know you will appreciate the hard work and beautiful veterans memorials and park.  Total distance is approximately 52 miles.  Top three riders male / female earn custom tank/bike part trophies! NOTE: E-Bikes are not eligible for awards.

"RUCK"  Vigilance Martial Arts/EANGKS Norwegian Foot March
Let's take a hike!  Test your hiking skills and see if you can earn a true military badge by completing the Kansas Army National Guard Norwegian Foot March!  Norwegian?  Yes!  Our military partners with our allies for many events and exercises to include the 18 Mile Norwegian Foot March!  This event is approved by  the KSARNG and the Norwegian embassy and is open to all service members, veterans and civilians.  It's a tough event but many can attest to the excitement of finishing the march and earning your Bronze, Silver or Gold Norwegian Badge

"RELEASE"  Dynamic Disc Freedom Fest Open
Thanks to world famous Dynamic Discs, we are honored to host the Dynamic Disc Freedom Open.  As you may already know, this course is only setup once a year at Soden's Grove park adjacent to the Emporia All Veterans Memorial  Dynamic Disc is an amazing partner and sponsor and as we all know holds fantastic events.  Open to all and winners receive custom disc awards.

North Star Will to Win Warrior Spur Challenge
Combine them together and what do you get?  Needing  a bigger challenge?  Try your hand at our multi-event Will to Win Warrior Spur Challenge!
Try and earn your Auxiliary Member Order of the Spur Armor Spur from the 1-635th Armor Regiment. This event is our version of a triathlon with a taste of the traditional Cavalry/Armor Spur Ride Event (Never heard of a Spur Ride?  Check it out online....)  First time completers earn the silver spur while 5th time completers go for the Gold Spur.  Truly hardcore competitors think long-term and upon completing their 10th event earn the legitimate Cavalry Stetson.

CARGILL FREEDOM FEST EXPO
To help celebrate our 20th year we are planning on MANY static displays and demonstrations from our regional military units, branches and service members.  Plenty for family and friends to discover, get hands on and explore!   We will also have many of our Sponsors, Vendors and some great local food on-site for those not competing in events  or providing support.  Visit our Website and our Facebook event page often to find out who is coming!  The Expo closes each year with a very popular event "the Storming of the Bridge"  a WWII bridge clearing re-enactment hosted by the 101st Dog Company WW2 Re-enactment team.

"RECOGNIZE!" 
The most important thing we do for this event (and why we hold it) is to honor our Veterans, their families and support  local organizations who serve and support our Veteran Community.  Net proceeds for our events have provided over $100,000  the last two decades to the Emporia All Veterans Memorial Park, the 635th /137th Regiment Scholarship Fund for children of Unit Veterans; the USD 252 Honor Flight Program, North Lyon County Veterans Memorial, and the Enlisted Association of the Kansas National Guard. Photos of past presentations and information about these charities can be found at our website.