Freedom's Light Festival! - Bountiful, Utah

David Irizarry

I enjoyed the Freedom’s Light Festival and took my kids to it. It is nice hearing stories about the Founding Fathers. I enjoyed and appreciated talking to people who had taken the time to study and get to know about the Founding Fathers. My kids also got to learn about the Bill of Rights and how a printing press was run. I do have some feedback though. I think the activity would be better served by less obvious right wing bias. As someone who holds primarily center left views, I could see very clear bias on the right, starting with the very first booth where books were being pushed that suggested the Constitution is based on biblical teachings not the Enlightenment. Then in the second booth there was a sweet little older woman who is probably on Social Security (the irony) talking to us about how we have to fight against socialist forces trying to take our country. Overall, this we need to fight to protect our rights thing permeated most of the presentations making some of the presentations pretty much unwatchable or just downright annoying. I love American history, don’t bring modern day politics to it. So ultimately, it was fun, but I really wish it was more for everyone, and that these people had a less “let’s preach to our choir” mentality.

Nathan

The setup is spectacular, I just love the costumes and the props that bring the immersion of being in a historical setting.

Each actor has a variety of styles that they zero in on and it brings many different experiences with each story; some bring in the emotional weight of the story, while others focus on intellectual concepts people can reflect on; it adds a lot of variety. I also appreciate that despite me trying to ask hard questions they always had a very good answer, the one that didn't have an answer politely came up to me later after doing research to find out, which I really appreciate and admire. They also show the differences in opinion each historical figure had on government, which I also really appreciate. Everyone was very warm and friendly.

Many kids of young age refuse to sit still while the stories are told, while others, including toddlers, focus on the stories with fascination; I'd say it really depends on the personality of each child, but it didn't take away from the experience at all and anybody with hyperactive children should still try bringing their children because this is something important to be exposed to as it can contribute to developing your child's pride of identity as an American and you may find they will focus with wonder as well. I would say this is for all ages, even saw individual seniors going to each booth alone.

I definitely recommend this festival to everyone of all political views and backgrounds and encourage the support of it to be continued; it's a true celebration of American history and one of many proofs in the flesh of the existence of American culture.

Jared Wendel

Amazing event where you learn about the founding fathers and people who enabled this great country to have the freedoms that we share. Most importantly, God's influence is shown to have brought about a great things that enabled this wonderful country to be here.

Holly Patty

jeanette hesson