Freedom Festival New Executive Director: Brittany Barnhart
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, August 15, 2024 — The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival is pleased to announce the appointment of Brittany Barnhart as the organization’s new Executive Director, effective September 3rd, 2024. Barnhart will replace Karol Shepherd who resigned earlier this month after serving the organization for 4 years.
Barnhart previously served as the Events Manager for The Gazette where she organized and ran over 30 events annually, spanning the greater Eastern Iowa area. She has infused new ideas and concepts to grow The Gazette’s event portfolio to include programs like Excellence in the Arts where The Gazette spotlights and awards High School students in the arts community. She has also brought back the Festival of Trees and led broader community events including the Iowa Ideas Conference. Beyond her work at The Gazette, Barnhart is actively involved in supporting her community, including Junior Achievement, the Go Red For Women Event Committee and serves on the Linn-Mar Schools Foundation Board.
Barnhart also brings marketing, communications and business development expertise to her new role with the Freedom Festival.
“We are thrilled to welcome Brittany as our new Executive Director,” said Freedom Festival Board President Jessica Mackey. “With strong community connections and a passion for the Festival, including serving on our Board last year, she brings innovative ideas and fresh perspective. We’re excited to have her lead us in a new direction.”
The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival, Inc., a non-profit organization, celebrates the quality of life in Eastern Iowa by providing safe, affordable and fun annual events that embody the spirit of patriotism and the sense of community and family.
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The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to serving Cedar Rapids and a significant portion of eastern Iowa. Our mission is to celebrate the quality of life in Eastern Iowa by providing safe, affordable, and fun annual events that embody the spirit of patriotism and a sense of community and family.
