Bring your patriotic spirit and enjoy colorful fireworks, live music, a car show, southern food and more at Hoover’s Freedom Fest on July 4.

In its third year, Freedom Fest will start at 5 p.m. at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium and is free to attend.

“When the Barons left the Met, Mayor Ivey had the idea to have a big fireworks show,” says Erin Colbaugh, city of Hoover’s events coordinator. “Everyone can come in for free and enjoy a spectacular show.”

The fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. and last about 20 minutes. Colbaugh encourages people to get to the Met early, though, because the stadium’s parking and seats will fill up quickly.

“We’ve had 10,000 to 13,000 in the past two years,” Colbaugh says. “We’re expecting a packed house again this year. With that many people trying to come to the same facility, you need to come early and enjoy some time while you’re there.”

In addition to fireworks, there will be children’s activities, live entertainment, food, a car show and more. People who want to showcase their cars in the show can arrive at 4:30 p.m. There’s no registration fee to display an antique, hot rod or muscle car.

And this year’s Freedom Fest will be the largest yet. It is expanding and will have activities on both sides of the stadium, including the Kid’s Zone.

There will inflatables, face painting, balloon artists and other activities for children. Home Depot will also have a station for them to build projects they can take home with them.

Something attendees of all ages can enjoy will be July 4 favorites like BBQ, watermelon, corn on the cob and other concession food items.

“There’s a focus on family, friends and the Fourth of July,” she says.

At 6:30 p.m., Hoover’s Jessie Pitts will take the stage in the middle of the Met’s field and perform. Pitts, a Spain Park High School graduate, sang her way to the Top 12 in Season 7 of NBC’s “The Voice.”

“It’s nice to have one of Hoover’s own come back and perform,” Colbaugh says.

After Pitts, country music duo Native Run will perform about 7:30 p.m. Members Rachel Beauregard and Bryan Dawley met at church while living in Virginia, and their musical careers grew from there.

In between the musical acts, the ZOOperstars will perform. The inflatable group of characters was a hit at Freedom Fest last year, so they decided to bring them back again.

So whether people enjoy great music, food, children’s activities, fireworks or just celebrating Independence Day, Hoover’s Freedom Fest is the perfect event for all ages.

“It’s just a great time for families to come out, spend time together and do a little bit of everything,” Colbaugh says.

[This article originally ran in the July issue of Hoover’s Magazine. Pick up your free copy at one of these locations.]