Emporia Freedom Fest Run-Ride-Ruck-Release and Recognize!

WELCOME TO OUR AMAZING 23rd Emporia Freedom Fest!  Emporia Freedom Fest is a series of community events bringing together people of all ages to enjoy the outdoors, exercise, mingle and honor all Veterans and their families.  This event provides annual charitable support to the Emporia All Veterans Memorial; the 137th & 635th Regimental Scholarship Fund, North Lyon County Veterans Memorial Fund, USD 252 South Lyon County Honor Flight program, and the KSARNG Enlisted Association Programs.

Visit our website - emporiafreedomfest.org for all the details and use this site to register.  Registration is live the 1st of July.  Virtual events start on Patriots Day (9/11) and end on Veterans Day (11/07).

On-site events are held 11/7/2026 at the Emporia All Veterans Memorial.  Please visit emporiafreedomfest.org for details about every event.

"RUN"  Wagon Wheel Bar and Grill Freedom Run 5k
The  5K Freedom Run is one of the flattest runs you will find in Kansas. The Course keeps to the flood plain south and east of the All Veterans Memorial Park.  Place top three in your age/gender category to win Emporia Main Street Gift community gift certificates. Top three male/female riders earn our custom bike and tank part trophies!

"RIDE"   Freedom Ride 20 mile Gravel Grinders:
Lyon County State Bank/USD 252 Vet Honor Flight - (SGT Timmerman Ride): (20-22 miles) Back by popular demand is our LCSB/USD 252 Veterans Honor Flight Ride (Timmerman Ride) -  This twenty mile ride takes you directly to the South Lyon County Veterans Memorial Park adjacent to Olpe High School  This is very fitting as our net proceeds for this ride support USD 252 Annual Veterans Honor Flights - to learn more about USD 252 Honor Flights visit https://www.usd252.org/page/honor-flight  We are helping fundraise for the next USD 252 Honor Flight which pairs district High School students and staff with area military veterans.  It is an awesome event!  Top three riders (male & female) earn custom tank/bike part trophies! NOTE:  E-Bikes are not eligible for awards.

New Update (3/1/2026) The Eisenhower Freedom 50 Mile Race On-Site .  We will continue to have the Eisenhower Freedom Ride (50 miler) with our virtual option.  Proceeds for this event will still be provided to the North Lyon County Veterans Memorial.  See registration and website for virtual event instructions. We encourage to visit an amazing Veterans Memorial for the town of Bushong and Veterans from North Lyon County, Kansas.

New Event Addition!  Mini-Mission Dash!  This event is for children / kids able to ride a bike and 10 years of age or younger.  Participants will be observable at all times by parents and guardians.

All activities for the "mission" will be child/age appropriate and safe.  Face painting will only be allowed if approved by a parent/guardian for each child.  

Age 7 and Under Distance for the ride will be .25 miles out and .25 miles back.  

Age 8-10 ride distance will be .5 out and back.

start point is just south of the start point bridge will be the mission training area for parents and friends to observe the riders as well as their "mission phase" of the event.  A map for this route and area is in the maps and timeline section of our site website.  At the secret mission point each participant will be given several age-appropriate tasks to complete that have a "military mission style."

Participants earn a mission complete certificate, have opportunity to camo up with face paint and a custom event bib/bike registration plate and Sweet Granada Incredible and Edible Chocolate Medal.  Free and limited to kids 10 and under.

"RUCK" Vigilance Martial Arts/EANGKS Norwegian Foot March
Let's take a hike!  Test your hiking skills and see if you can earn a true military badge by completing the Kansas Army National Guard Norwegian Foot March!  Norwegian?  Yes!  Our military partners with our allies for many events and exercises to include the 18 Mile Norwegian Foot March!  This event is approved by the KSARNG and the Norwegian embassy and is open to all service members, veterans and civilians.  It's a tough event but many can attest to the excitement of finishing the march and earning your Bronze, Silver or Gold Norwegian Badge

"RELEASE"  Dynamic Disc Freedom Fest Open
Thanks to world famous Dynamic Discs, we are honored to host the Dynamic Disc Freedom Open.  As you may already know, this course is only setup once a year at Soden's Grove Park adjacent to the Emporia All Veterans Memorial Dynamic Disc is an amazing partner and sponsor and as we all know holds fantastic events.  Open to all and winners receive custom disc awards.

Southern Star Pipeline / Will To Win Warrior Spur Challenge
Combine them together and what do you get?  Needing a bigger challenge?  Try your hand at our multi-event Will to Win Warrior Spur Challenge!

Compete to earn your Auxiliary Member Order of the Spur Armor Spur from the 1-635th Armor Regiment. This event is our version of a triathlon with a taste of the traditional Cavalry/Armor Spur Ride Event (Never heard of a Spur Ride?  Check it out online....)  First time completers earn the silver spur while 5th time completers go for the Gold Spur.  Truly hardcore competitors think long-term and upon completing their 10th event earn the legitimate Cavalry Stetson.

FREEDOM FEST EXPO
To help celebrate our 20th year we are planning on MANY static displays and demonstrations from our regional military units, branches and service members.  Plenty for family and friends to discover, get hands on and explore!   We will also have many of our Sponsors, Vendors and some great local food on-site for those not competing in events or providing support.  Visit our Website and our Facebook event page often to find out who is coming!  

"RECOGNIZE!" 
The most important thing we do for this event (and why we hold it) is to honor our Veterans, their families and support local organizations who serve and support our Veteran Community.  Net proceeds for our events have provided over $100,000 the last two decades to the Emporia All Veterans Memorial Park, the 635th /137th Regiment Scholarship Fund for children of Unit Veterans; the USD 252 Honor Flight Program, North Lyon County Veterans Memorial, and the Enlisted Association of the Kansas National Guard. Photos of past presentations and information about these charities can be found at our website.

ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSE MIDNIGHT NOVEMBER 3rd