The East Ridge Merchant’s Association Libertyfest is coming to Interstate 1-75 and Exit 1 in East Ridge on June 30.

A regional-wide party with top live entertainment and a concluding fireworks show to celebrate America’s Independence will take place at the 274-acre Camp Jordan Park. 

ERMA President Robert Stahl said the Libertyfest illustrates the freedom that we celebrate in America. He said the city merchants hope to showcase East Ridge to those who attend and give them a reason to come back to the city to do business.

“I’m looking forward to a great event,” Mr. Stahl said. “A lot of work has been underway for several months by many individuals. The entertainment lineup is almost finalized along with other details to be completed. We are ready to ‘Pack the Park’ and hope everyone will make plans to come to East Ridge and celebrate with us.” 

The entertainment line-up features headliner Cody McCarver, JoyScout with Chattanooga native Emily Kate Boyd, Roger Alan Wade, Davey Smith, Nathan Farrow, Chris McDaniel and the Stratoblasters.

ERMA member Jill Kilgore (East Ridge Auto Alignment) said she believes the festival committee is providing top talent from throughout the region.

“We live in a region blessed with all kinds of talent,” Ms. Kilgore said. “We have wonderful musicians and singers and dancers of all ages. I can’t wait until we see live what we are putting on paper.” 

Ms. Kilgore said ERMA has put a lot of effort into this event and plans on Libertyfest being an annual party to celebrate freedom.

“The people of this area will be impressed and will know they have a safe and fun place to go and enjoy great food, entertainment and a spectacular fireworks show,” she said. “I’ve been telling all my friends. We are going to ‘Pack the Park.’”

East Ridge City Manager Tim Gobble said he joins the mayor and city council in helping to support Libertyfest.

"I believe Libertyfest is going to grow to be one of the largest outdoor community events in the area,” Mr. Gobble said. “By having it on June 30, it helps kick off a number of celebrations leading up to the Fourth of July and gives all an opportunity to come out and enjoy our beautiful Camp Jordan Park, good food, top quality entertainment, activities and fireworks in celebration of our nation's birthday."

ERMA member Randy Carpenter said the food vendors would have a wide variety of barbecue items on the menus.

“My thought is that nobody does a big barbecue for the Fourth of July anymore,” Mr. Carpenter said. “The barbecue will be served as early as noon. These vendors should be top notch and they’re people who serve it almost every day. We want all of our East Ridge food establishments to have the opportunity to participate.”

All potential food vendors are asked to contact Mr. Carpenter at 635-8038.

In addition, display booths for crafts and such are $50 for 10 x 10 and $100 for 10 x 10 with electricity. 

When: June 30 from 10 am -10 pm 
Where: Camp Jordan Park East Ridge
What to bring: Lawn chairs and blankets and wear cool comfortable clothes.
What to expect: A lot of fun and good food
Admission: $10 per car
How to get there: I-75, Exit 1 and follow the signs to Fred Pruett Parkway
How to volunteer: Call 432-4409

Libertyfest Entertainment

Headliner: Cody McCarver
McCarver was born and raised in Dunlap, Tenn. where he became a musician playing a piano in a tiny southern church in beautiful Sequatchie County.

McCarver spent more than 12 years with the multi platinum selling band Confederate Railroad playing in excess of 100 shows per year.

He ventured out onto his own with Capitol Studios in Hollywood, Ca. where he recorded his first solo CD titled CODY MCCARVER. The CD was produced by Casaba Petocz, (John Michael Montgomery, Metallica, Ben Folds) and mixed by Grammy Award winning engineer, Chris Lord Alge, (Green Day, Tim McGraw, Hoobastank and more). 

His first single, Red Flag, became a Top 25 single and a No. 1 video for 12 consecutive weeks on CMT Pure and Music Row Magazines’ Independent Artist of the year. 

McCarver’s next single "Through Gods Eyes" was the first Top 20 Single by an Independent Artist on any chart, and again for a second straight year, was named Music Rows Independent Artist of the year. Through Gods Eyes led Cody to be a National Celebrity Spokesperson for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America. 

He now works with children whose parents are incarcerated in prison, as Cody's father is serving a life sentence in a Tennessee State prison. The song, Through Gods Eyes, also spawned a DVD Documentary entitled “Cody McCarver Behind the Walls” due out in 2012.

It was filmed at a Tennessee State prison where his father is incarcerated. 

Through Gods Eyes was followed by the patriotic anthem “I’m America,” with an accompanying video featuring Charlie Daniels. That video also went to No. 1 on CMT Pure. The single I'm America led Cody around the country doing more than 30 shows for the American Troops, in conjunction with Operation Troop Aid and the Wounded Warriors program.

The next single, “White Trash With Money”, also received Cody a  No. 1 Video on CMT Pure and a Top 20 Single on the Music Row Chart. 

McCarver has his first acting role by starring with Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill 1 & 2, Thelma & Louise, Free Willy) in a western "Cole Younger and the Black Train." 

The movie debuts in April with McCarver playing the role of Younger, which is a Lions Gate film. He wrote and recorded the title song from the film "Outlaws & Trains."

The video for Outlaws & Trains was added to CMT Pure in Dec 2011 and will be a download and bonus feature for the Cole Younger & the Black Train DVD release. 

JoyScout 
The Atlanta band features Chattanooga’s Emily Kate Boyd along with Nicki Thrailkill and Jesse Tyler.  

Expect a blend of folk, rock and alternative country as only JoyScout can deliver on stage.

JoyScout has shared the stage with talented artists and songwriters like Clay Cook, John Mayer, Gareth Asher and Dayna Kurtz. The band's influences range from classic singer-songwriters like Elliot Smith and Nina Simone to contemporary bands like Indigo Girls and Kings of Leon.

Roger Alan Wade 
Nobody entertains a crowd with fun-filled lyrics and a blend of country and western than singer/songwriter Roger Alan Wade. 

Wade has produced hit songs for Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and George Jones. 

His efforts have produced a couple of gold records and a No.1 song with Hank Williams Jr. “Country State of Mind.”

Wade’s “If You’re Gonna Be Dumb, You Gotta Be Tough” song was on the movie “Jackass” soundtrack and became the unofficial theme of the movie.

Jackass star Johnny Knoxville is Wade’s cousin and boosted his kinfolk’s career by hooking him up with worldwide radio personality Howard Stern.

After hearing Wade’s songs, Stern had him on his show in New York where he was a hit singing Roger Alan’s brand of funny, yet real to life songs.

Chris McDaniel 
Chris McDaniel is another member of the award winning multi platinum selling country group Confederate Railroad. McDaniel was a member of the band for more than 16 years before stepping aside in 2000, where he said he found himself fighting a $70,000 a year cocaine addiction.  During rehab, he admitted he had a problem and later totally surrendered his life to Christ.

Today he is the staff music evangelist at Oakwood Baptist Church in Chickamauga.  He shares his testimony and uses his musical talents to reach thousands

He has performed on stage with many of top Christian singers of today, including David Phelps of the Gaither vocal band, Clay Crosse, Jars of Clay, Big Daddy Weave, Barlow Girl, Chris Rice, Natalie Grant, and Charles Billingsly. 

McDaniel's is described as having a passion to see lost individuals meet Jesus.

Davey Smith
The former high school and college football standout describes his thriving singing career in a way that identifies with the freestyle old country sound he delivers on stage.

“My name is Davey Smith. I am from the great state of Tennessee. I've got the fastest horse, surest rifle, prettiest sister, and the ugliest dog in Tennessee. My Pa can whoop any man, and I can whoop my Pa. My entire world revolves around the most beautiful woman in the world, and my little huckleberry, Coleman Oscar Smith. I was raised on Merle Haggard, Elvis Presley, Bill Monroe, Randy Travis, Johnny Cash, Buck Owens, and Southern Gospel. I love Jesus, Mama, and Merle. I think that country music has gone to hell in a hand basket. Nashville record labels and country radio have "ripped out the heart and soul of a kind of music that means a whole lot to me." My goal would be to bring real country music back. Thanks for stopping by, and for all of your support.”

Nathan Farrow 
What can you say about a Real life Ringgold star who learned how to sing by visiting his uncle’s chicken house for impromptu jam sessions.

Nathan has blossomed into a passionate singer who is making big strides regionally throughout the Southeast.   

He wants to be far from his home when he takes the stage at Camp Jordan on June 30 for the Liberty Festival to perform a mix of original songs, outlaw country and mainstream music in his popular style.

Farrow was nominated for the 2010 Chattanooga FYI Awards- Best Male Vocalist, Best Country Band, Best Live Band. He was nominated for the 2010 Georgia Country.com- Best Male Vocalist and 2010 Best Country Band- Chattanooga Live Music Scene/Chattanooga.com 

Stratoblasters
The Stratoblasters have been a party hit for more than 30 years in the Chattanooga area. What Chuck Wilkins, Newell Miller, Rick Williams, Kevin Sneary, Scott Chase, Bob Williams and Randy Price bring to the stage is a blend of energy and fun.

It doesn’t take the Stratoblasters long to have the crowd on their feet singing and dancing.