Patriotic picnickers celebrate Independence Day through Freedom at the Arboretum

Fourth of July fireworks shows may have been postponed in Spokane County, but the show went on for the annual Freedom at the Arboretum patriotic picnic.

Section:Gallery

Sun., July 4, 2021

A sign for Freedom at the Arboretum is reflected on nearby vehicles at the John A. Finch Arboretum in Spokane, Wash. on July 4, 2021. The patriotic, nonpartisan event was started in 1962 by Tom Westbrook, father of current event organizer Mark Westbrook, as a celebration of democracy through song, speeches and the arts.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Rusty Nelson, president of the Veterans for Peace and the "Stir the Pot" speaker for the 2021 Freedom at the Arboretum event, delivers his speech titled "Sounds of Freedom" in Spokane, Wash. on July 4, 2021. The patriotic, nonpartisan event was started in 1962 by Tom Westbrook, father of current event organizer Mark Westbrook, as a celebration of democracy through song, speeches and the arts.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Attendees of Freedom at the Arboretum listen to speeches at the John A. Finch Arboretum on Sunday in Spokane. The patriotic, nonpartisan event was started in 1962 by Tom Westbrook, father of current event organizer Mark Westbrook, as a celebration of democracy through song, speeches and the arts.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Andy CastroLang, pastor of Westminster Congregational UCC, speaks during Freedom at the Arboretum at the John A. Finch Arboretum in Spokane, Wash. on July 4, 2021. The patriotic, nonpartisan event was started in 1962 by Tom Westbrook, father of current event organizer Mark Westbrook, as a celebration of democracy through song, speeches and the arts.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Luc Jasmin III, candidate for Spokane City Council, District 1, speaks during Freedom at the Arboretum at the John A. Finch Arboretum in Spokane, Wash. on July 4, 2021. The patriotic, nonpartisan event was started in 1962 by Tom Westbrook, father of current event organizer Mark Westbrook, as a celebration of democracy through song, speeches and the arts.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Event organizer Mark Westbrook speaks during Freedom at the Arboretum at the John A. Finch Arboretum in Spokane, Wash. on July 4, 2021. The patriotic, nonpartisan event was started in 1962 by Westbrook's father, Tom, and has celebrated democracy annually ever since through song, speeches and the arts.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Attendees of Freedom at the Arboretum listen to speeches at the John A. Finch Arboretum in Spokane, Wash. on July 4, 2021. The patriotic, nonpartisan event was started in 1962 by Tom Westbrook, father of current event organizer Mark Westbrook, as a celebration of democracy through song, speeches and the arts.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Luisa, Luisa and Marisela Orellana perform "Nothing More" by Alternate Routes during Freedom at the Arboretum at the John A. Finch Arboretum in Spokane, Wash. on July 4, 2021. The patriotic, nonpartisan event was started in 1962 by Tom Westbrook, father of current event organizer Mark Westbrook, as a celebration of democracy through song, speeches and the arts.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Naghmana Sherazi, candidate for Spokane City Council, District 1, speaks during Freedom at the Arboretum at the John A. Finch Arboretum in Spokane, Wash. on July 4, 2021. The patriotic, nonpartisan event was started in 1962 by Tom Westbrook, father of current event organizer Mark Westbrook, as a celebration of democracy through song, speeches and the arts.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Event organizer Mark Westbrook speaks during Freedom at the Arboretum at the John A. Finch Arboretum in Spokane, Wash. on July 4, 2021. The patriotic, nonpartisan event was started in 1962 by Westbrook's father, Tom, and has celebrated democracy annually ever since through song, speeches and the arts.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo