Inside this WEEK  

>  Guest should stay socially connected

Memo from the MANAGER 

   First, run up five flights of stairs with a 42-pound pack on your shoulders. Then, pull another 42-pound hose pack up those five flights using a rope over the outside rail. Then, run back down those five flights and try to make a 165-pound rail move five feet, using a hammer. After that, run through a series of obstacles to hit a target with water before, finally, rescuing a 175-pound "victim" mannequin. I know, right.
   But, dozens of firefighters from different parts of the nation will be doing just that in the Firefighters Combat Challenge, new to Liberty Fest in Farmers Branch, this weekend. That is clearly the best exhibition of firefighting skills that I've ever seen. In fact, we have many "bests" at Liberty Fest this year.
   We'll have one of the best tributes for a fallen soldier when the American Fallen Soldiers Project presents a portrait to the family of U.S. Army First Lieutenant, and former City of Farmers Branch employee, Robert F. Welch, III.
   Some of the best in automotive artistry will be on display at the Liberty Fest Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show. Likewise, some of the best fun of the day will be had with kayaking, rock climbing and archery at the Outdoor Expo.
   The best of the 90s will be on hand when Gin Blossoms plays at the Historical Park Saturday night. That will be followed by one of the best of the late 1970s and early 1980s when the legendary Styx takes the stage.
   Overall, this year's Liberty Fest has generated the best buzz of any event before it with more than 140,000 free tickets handed out for the concerts. We're even making gains in the social realm with 62,000 unique individuals looking at some component of the Liberty Fest Facebook page in the past week. That's an all-time best for us.
   So, whether you want to see firefighters in action, honor our troops, take in the classic cars, trucks and motorcycles, partake of the outdoor activities, soak in great music or a little of everything, you will find the best at Liberty Fest this weekend.
   Be sure to come say "hello." I'll look forward to seeing you there.   

   

 

BreakingNEWS

ImportantUPDATES

FARMERS BRANCH ~ A month ago, the Liberty Fest Facebook page reached 426 people. Last week more than 62,000 people viewed some component of the festival's social media site.
   That's quite a social conversation.  
   As such, Liberty Fest organizers are encouraging revelers to stay tuned to the Liberty Fest Facebook and Twitter pages through the event for updates and start times on different  activities. The Twitter conversation will be taking place at "#fblibertyfest." For more information and to "Like" the Facebook page and "follow" the Twitter page, click on the respective logos.

 

FeaturedSTORIES

   

 
FARMERS BRANCH ~ For the third time in as many years, the Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show will give owners the opportunity to show off the sweetest rides in north Texas as part of Farmers Branch Liberty Fest, Saturday, May 26.

   Featuring both classics and new, the show invites everyone to enter their own labor of love or simply come out to view the automotive works of art from around the region. Organizers said there will be a DJ as well as featured "People's" and "Mayor's Choice" Awards. 

   Located on Denton Drive at Farmers Branch Lane, between Liberty Plaza and the Farmers Branch Historical Park, the show will hold registration from 8 until 11 a.m. with the show itself from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Awards will be presented between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. In addition, there will be a burnout contest from 2 to 3 p.m. 

   Early registration is $15 per entry, if paid by May 22 with cash, check or credit card. Registration on the day of the event is $20 by cash or check only. Participation in the Burnout Contest will be an additional $10. There will be a free car show dash plaque and t-shirt for the first 50 registrants. All proceeds benefit Special Olympics. 

   For more information, call 972.919.8780 or visit

www.fblibertyfest.com. 

 

LibertyFEST

Schedule

 
FARMERS BRANCH ~ New to Liberty Fest this year will be the "toughest two minutes in sports" as the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge will hold a regional competition in Farmers Branch May 25-26 in the parking lot of the CFB-ISD Technology Learning Center at 2427 Carrick, just north of the Dr Pepper StarCenter and south of the intersection of Valley View Lane and Interstate 35-E, Stemmons Freeway.   The Combat Challenge showcases the talents, skills and athleticism of America's firefighter heroes in an exciting, fast paced competition.
   Simulating the essential skills of firefighting such as climbing a five-story tower in full-bunker gear, dragging and hoisting a fire hose,
simulating forcible entry, and racing around obstacles, this event highlights the best of the best competing against each other in a timed, physical contest.
   The Farmers Branch Fire Department Combat Challenge Team, who finished 15th internationally in 2011, will be joined by teams from across the nation for the Liberty Fest event.
   There will also be a Kid's Firefighter Challenge, a miniaturized version of the adult challenge. This will be an exciting adventure for any child that has ever imagined becoming a firefighter.
   For more information, visit www.fblibertyfest.com or www.firefighterchallenge.com.

 
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The now-familiar Liberty Fest heather-grey t-shirt will be on sale at the Farmers Branch Historical Park on Saturday for $10 each along with Liberty Fest koozies for $2 (free for active duty military and veterans).
   The heather grey shirt is emblazoned with the custom-designed logo for this year's Liberty Fest event, featuring a red, white and blue guitar with the familiar Liberty Fest "logo tree" on the end of the neck. Sizes are available from adult small to adult XXL, while supplies last.
  

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