Fireworks, diversity of music unite revelers

FLORENCE - Thousands of people Saturday attended the 28th Shoals Spirit of Freedom, the region's largest Fourth of July celebration, one that organizers say is becoming more diversified.

"We've made a concerted effort to bring in other bands to diversify the lineup. We want to make sure we have something for everyone," said Brian Rickman, regional director of programming for the Shoals Radio Group, which organizes the free annual event along with the city of Florence and Florence-Lauderdale Tourism. "(In the future) I'd love to see blues, bluegrass, even a polka band," he said.

The celebration got a boost this year with the holiday landing on a Saturday and by the recession, said organizers who expected 30,000 people for the celebration.

"Just the fact that people don't have to work (Saturday)," Rickman said. "The fact that it's free and nobody has any money."

Revelers celebrated the 233rd birthday of the United States, cemented by the 1776 Declaration of Independence. Alabama joined the union in 1819, but the union only became complete 50 years ago when Hawaii became the 50th and last state.

The diverse musical lineup ranged from wall-of-sound rockers Papercut Massacre to smooth R&B Urban Mystic; Muscle Shoals break-out group Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, along with country headliner Daryle Singletary.

"There's definitely a lot more diversity," said Debbie Wilson, director of Florence-Lauderdale Tourism. "The crowds in the last three to four years have become even more so because they have a diversity of music."

The celebration had country then rock origins, but under the Shoals Radio Group, the music lineup broadened. The group itself is part of the diversified Urban Radio Broadcasting.

One diverse performance joined Brannu, a Brooklyn DJ by way of Atlanta, with pop-vocalist Joseph Sikora. Before their set, Brannu, who has toured with top-billed artists including Akon, J-Kwon and Jay Leno, ravaged a burger a couple of hours before the set, "I haven't eaten in a day," he said.

Sikora, an indie artist from Dothan, said he was working on a follow-up single to his album and was about to start a tour in the fall.

The DJ-vocalist, cross-racial act also included choreography by Drack, who described his combination as hip-hop, jazz and lyrical styles.

The festival attracts people from all over the region. April Rodriguez, of Russellville, came with her son, Christopher Sanchez, and listened to the slow jams of Urban Mystic.

"I don't know who he is, but I'm trying to find out," she said. "It's got no bad language in it - it's calming. It's good.

"Seeing all the different people and the music - it's really fun," she said between the solo artist's bass-booming tracks.

By late afternoon, overcast skies covered the beating sun and hundreds of people sat in lawn chairs by the banks of the Tennessee River in Florence.

"We've been able to grow this," said Joy Stanfield, corporate director of marketing with Urban Radio Broadcasting in Miami. The radio group includes 24 radio stations in Ohio, Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama.

"It was really hard with the economy, but we worked really hard and made it happen."

Black, white and Hispanic families relaxed by the bank of the Tennessee River where they grilled out, visited and people-watched.

New parents, Ashley and Blake Hill, watched and played with their 3-month-old son, Bryant, on a picnic blanket.

"He's going to watch the fireworks. He loves the lights," said Ashley, who pinched Bryant's chubby leg.

"He's looking for them right now. 'Where're they at?' " his father said.

Tucked in among car show revelers, grub-slinging vendors and loud, loud Christian rock music, U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, D-Birmingham, made a quick appearance in the afternoon.

Davis, campaigning for the 2010 gubernatorial spot, is the first black man to seek the state's top spot. Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks is also seeking the Democratic nomination.

Republican hopefuls include Bill Johnson, former director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs; former Chief Justice Roy Moore; state Rep. Robert Bentley; former two-year college Chancellor Bradley Byrne; Alabama Treasurer Kay Ivey; and businessman Tim James.

"The Tennessee Valley vote is going to be decisive in this campaign," said Davis, who noted Shoals residents typically feel left out of state politics.

With statewide unemployment expected to pass 10.5 percent and proration a certainty in 2011, the governor's office will have several challenges.

As for being black, Davis said he's not put a lot of weight on it. "As I travel around the state, I don't see many differences between voters," Davis said. "Both blacks and whites are worried about jobs."

Trevor Stokes can be reached at (256) 740-5728 or trevor.stokes@TimesDaily.com.