NEWSLETTER
Orange County, NY - County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus invites you to a wonderful summer evening featuring the Black Dirt Bandits, Julia Roome, food trucks, bounce houses, and, of course, fireworks! Orange County’s beloved Freedom Fest is back on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Thomas Bull Memorial Park in Montgomery, NY - and it’s shaping up to be bigger and better than ever.
This free, family-friendly community event is a vibrant celebration of what makes Orange County great – our residents, our talent, and the appreciation of the service of our local veterans. The evening includes a special veterans’ salute, and a fireworks and drone show combo that wowed the crowd when it debuted last year.
“Freedom Fest brings out the best of Orange County including our patriotism, our gratitude for our veterans, and our strong sense of community,” Neuhaus said. “It’s always a fun, meaningful, and memorable evening, and we’re proud to host it again this year.”
Live Music:
Fan-favorite Black Dirt Bandits take the stage at 6:30 p.m. with their signature blend of modern country covers and homegrown originals that will have you singing and dancing along. Before that, rising local star Julia Roome will kick off the evening with a stirring performance of the National Anthem.
Kids' Zone:
We're going all out for the little ones this year! The Kids' Zone will feature:
- Bounce houses
- LEGO® building opportunities with LEGOLAND® New York Resort
- Face painting
- Sensory play activities, games, giveaways and community resources, presented in collaboration with Orange County Tourism & Film, Think Differently, and the Orange County Department of Health.
- Hands-on sensory games & giveaways
- A performance by magician The Great Charlini at 6 p.m.
- And the first-ever reveal of our new County Tourism mascot, Hudson the Hound - don’t miss your chance to meet him in person!
Food Trucks:
Enjoy a variety of local food trucks offering delicious eats and cool drinks throughout the evening. You're also welcome to bring your own picnic (no glass containers or alcohol).
Fireworks and Drone Show at Dusk:
Stick around as the sky comes alive with a fireworks display set to music, plus a dazzling drone light show, a modern twist on a classic tradition that’s sure to leave you in awe.
“Freedom Fest is such a highlight of the summer, a perfect blend of celebration and connection,” said Amanda Dana, Director of Orange County Tourism & Film. “From the fireworks and drone show to the food, music, and family fun, it’s an unforgettable experience that really shows off what makes Orange County special.”
Freedom Fest begins at 4:00 p.m. at Thomas Bull Memorial Park (211 Route 416, Montgomery, NY) - just about an hour from New York City.
Join in the fun at one of Orange County’s most feel-good nights of the summer!
About Orange County Tourism & Film
Orange County Tourism & Film, based in Goshen, N.Y., is the County’s tourism and film production headquarters and a participant in the I LOVE NY program. A comprehensive listing of area attractions, lodging, events, and film resources can be found at www.pickocny.com. Additionally, a fun, free, 60-page travel guide is available for digital download at pickocny.com/travel-guide//.
To stay informed about County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus’ work and initiatives across Orange County, follow Orange County Government and Steven M. Neuhaus on social media:
- Facebook: @OrangeCountyNYGovt | @Steve.Neuhaus
- Instagram: @OrangeCountyNYGovt | @Steve.Neuhaus
- X (formerly Twitter): @OCGovNY | @SNeuhausOC
You can also watch NeuCast podcasts and the Leadership Speaker Series on the Orange County Government YouTube channel.