Liberty Fest 2012 gets underway today
May 25, 2012
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Months of planning have led to this day when Liberty Fest 2012 gets underway in Farmers Branch with the Firefighters Combat Challenge and the American Fallen Soldiers Project portrait ceremony.
The Firefighters Combat Challenge brings unique competition to Farmers Branch that sees teams and individual firefighters compete in events that simulate the firefighting profession including the carrying of a 42 pound pack up five flights of stairs, pulling another package up by rope, racing down to simulate forcible entry, putting water on a target and rescuing a victim. All competitors are timed. This regional event is one of many that take place around the nation and lead to national and international competitions later in the year.
Competition begins at 5 p.m. Friday, and continues Saturday, at 2427 Carrick in the parking lot of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD Technology Center, just south of the intersection of Valley View Lane and Stemmons Freeway.
Farmers Branch Fire Chief Steve Parker said the "home team" was going to be really happy if 12 teams registered for the Liberty Fest competition. As of noon Thursday, 22 teams had registered with more expected which makes this the largest regional competition of 2012.
Later this evening, at 7 p.m., about two blocks south of the Firefighter course, there will be a solemn ceremony to honor a fallen U.S. soldier who was also a former City of Farmers Branch employee. Army First Lieutenant Robert F. Welch, III was killed in action in Afghanistan last year. "Robby" Welch also worked at the Farmers Branch Historical Park from 2004 to 2005. Tonight, artist Phil Taylor and the American Fallen Soldiers Project will present a portrait of Lt. Welch to his family. The public is invited to attend.
Liberty Fest then kicks into high gear on Saturday with the Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show, Outdoor Expo, more Firefighter Combat Challenge, Blood Drive, Football Tournament and the FREE concerts from Styx with Gin Blossoms.
Stay connected on Facebook at fblibertyfest, on Twitter @fblibertyfest or join the conversation at #fblibertyfest. More info is available at www.fblibertyfest.com.