There was a patriotic spirit in the air Saturday night when the City of Troy presented its “Troy Freedom Concert and Celebration” at Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium.

“There’s a lot of excitement in the air,” said Dan Smith, director of Troy Parks and Recreation. “We’ve had beautiful weather, and everybody’s had a great day.”

The event featured a concert by a community choir, which was led by First Baptist Church of Troy Worship Minister Bart Culpepper.

“We especially appreciate Worship Minister Bart Culpepper and the community choir of First Baptist Church,” Smith said. “All the time they’ve spent rehearsing and this event that they’re putting on tonight is really going to put everybody into an Independence Day mood for the fireworks show.”

The people in attendance certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves, something Troy Mayor Jimmy Lunsford was proud of.

“We’re proud we’re able to do it and we’re proud we’re going to be able to continue to have this,” Lunsford said. “It’s important from a community standpoint to have everybody together.”

Lunsford said the event in Troy reminded him of another local Independence Day tradition.

“It’s like going to China Grove this morning,” Lunsford said. “That was America at its best, and this rivals that.”

While the concert and fireworks show may have been the main attractions, there was much more to offer.

Troy University fraternity Alpha Tau Omega was on hand on the tailgate terrace to provide entertainment for local children to enjoy.

“We appreciate Alpha Tau Omega and all the hard work they’ve done on the tailgate terrace to provide some family activities,” Smith said. “There have been lots of kids playing on all of the games and events that they have on the tailgate terrace all day long.”

Members of First Baptist Church were also on hand to provide the crowd with complimentary bottled water and watermelon.

One of the FBC volunteers, Keith Maddox, said it was important for the church to have a presence at the Independence Day event.

“This is a First Baptist Church event, and it’s kind of a mission of ours to come out and remind people about our liberty and the freedoms that the good Lord gave us, so here we are,” Maddox said.