WELCOME TO OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY! 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 and USD 252 South Lyon County Honor Flight program.
2023 Updates
We are ready for you in 2023! Help us have another amazing year as we Run-Ride-Release to Recognize and Honor Veterans, the All Veterans Memorial Park and currently serving Service Members.
2022 was a fantastic rebound year! On site we had over 150 participants, several dozen virtual participants and over 80 disc golfers during perfect weather! Participants came from five states and we had virtual participants in two other countries!
We are already planning our 2023 event to be held the same Saturday in November (4 NOV) 2022. As of today we are planning on bringing back every event and activity. Knowing our committee don't be surprised if we find a few new ways to keep you engaged for 2023! Registration will again go live on the 1st of July. Virtual events start on Patriots Day (9/11) and end on Veterans Day (11/11).
Back by popular demand is our USD 252 Veterans Honor Flight Ride – This fifty-mile ride takes you to two one of our newest Veterans Memorial Parks in the region. Net proceeds for this new ride support USD 252 Annual Honor Flights – to learn more about USD 252 Honor Flights visit https://www.usd252.org/page/honor-flight
We are very excited to welcome back for 2023 our fastest growing events – the Warrior Spur Challenge (formerly Spur Ride) as well as our Warrior 12 Miler Ruck March! Individuals can select either a virtual or a traditional in-person option for the LCSB 5K / 10K and the SGT Timmerman / GEN Eisenhower Freedom Rides. The Warrior 12-mile Ruck march is back and both rounds of the Dynamic Discs Freedom Fest Open will be played at Soden’s Grove that day. Warrior Spur Challenge is on-site and day of only.
The Run, Ride, and Spur Challenge all have great awards for top finishers to including gift certificates sponsored by Lyon County State Bank, Gravel City Supply and Adventure, Vigilance Marshal Arts, and hand-crafted trophies created by the Welding Department at Flint Hills Technical College. Murph Challenge competitors compete for the custom engraved K-BAR style Knives and Spur Challengers push hard to win the silver, gold spur or leather tabs on their way to finally earning a CAV Stetson.
ON-SITE Events: (4 NOVEMBER)
There will be limited day of registration this year. Please register online or contact the Emporia Main Street office (620) 340-6430.
4 NOV:
-Check-in begins at 8:00 am.
-The 16/25/42 mile rides will begin at 9 am. at the All Veterans Memorial Park, Emporia, KS
-The 5K/10K/1 miler and Veterans Honor Ride will begin at around 9:30 am at the All Veterans Memorial Park, Emporia KS
-The Warrior Spur Challenge will begin at 9:30 am. at the All Veterans Memorial Park, Emporia KS
– The 12 Mile Run/Ruck March Challenge will begin at 9:30 am and end at the All Veterans Memorial Park
– The Super Service Member (Murph) Challenge will be held at the All Veterans Memorial Park and begins at 9:30 a.m.
Packet pickup: -Participants will be able to pick up their packets at Emporia Main Street on November 2-3rd between noon and 5pm.
Virtual Events: (9/11 through 11/11)
-Participants can register starting 1 July and complete virtual (off-site) events between September 11th and November 11th
-If you are not in the 50 mile local area, we can mail your packet to you.
-Please make sure to send in your times and participation photos to emporiafreedomfest@gmail.com
REGISTRATION DEADLINES:
Early-bird Registration is 7/1/23 to 10/1/23 for all events. (save on the cost of your event and make the T-Shirt day of event Deadline!)
Late Registration (no T-shirts available after this date but will be sent or picked up at a later date): 10/14/23-11/4/23
Day of Registration – Not a good option! We start check-in at 8am!