Freedom Festival to celebrate U.S. Constitution

"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

The Constitution was written during the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia by 55 delegates to a Constitutional Convention that was called ostensibly to amend the Articles of Confederation (1781–89), the country’s first written constitution. 27 amendments have been added to the Constitution since 1789 which is hailed as a living document.

An upcoming event in Mineral County is being organized to celebrate the Constitution and learn more about it.

“It's not a political event, just an open invitation to anybody who appreciates our God-given rights. Anybody who appreciates the Constitution. Anybody who doesn’t understand the Constitution super well but understands that we’ve got a good lifestyle out here. It’s to rally around that idea and to celebrate it,” explains Steve DeLisle who along with his wife, Christine, organized the Freedom Festival which will be held on their property at 1022 Sawmill Gulch Road known as Alberton Orchard.

It’s a relaxed agenda for the event which matches their property that has 1,500 honeycrisp apple trees, 1,500 Marquette grape vines, a small herd of bison and highlander cattle in a setting along the Clark Fork River that was destined to become a huge subdivision 15 years ago.

“We wanted to keep this as natural as it was meant to be rather than having hundreds of homes built here,” DeLisle explained.

It’s a venue for weddings, reunions, large gatherings and even retreats as they have cabins hidden by mature ponderosa pines on an upper bench of the property.

A brilliantly white tent that is 40-foot by 60-foot with chairs, tables a stage and a dance floor in a green meadow makes an impression. An old hay barn that has been refurbished using all the weathered lumber is now a cozy semiprivate area with a bar that seats about 35 people.

Purchased in 2017, this is their first year as a guest ranch where they have been open to the public for festivities, such as the Freedom Festival on Sunday, Sept. 10 from 4 to 8 p.m. This venue is a strong addition to Alberton’s economy and the entire county as they have hired locals and created a new revenue stream.

If the Freedom Fest overlaps with the Fourth of July message, great!

“We are going to celebrate what our country has given us. What God has given us. This is not a Republican event, it’s an American event for all people,” DeLisle said. “If you like freedom to move and freedom to work and freedom to worship, speak your mind. The right to keep and bear arms and raise your children as you see fit, then this event is for you, where you’ll be with like-minded people.”

DeLisle has a dentistry practice in Lolo and recently secured space in Superior to serve the residents in Mineral County. He is also eyeing the House District 90 seat in the Montana Legislature, formerly HD 14, as Rep. Denley Loge termed out.

There is no admission to attend the event where a blue grass band out of Missoula will perform for a couple of hours. A few non-partisan speakers are being considered after the invocation but camaraderie and fellowship will be the main attraction.

There will be a bouncy house for the kids, possibly face painting. Adult beverages, soft drinks, burgers and hot dogs will be available to purchase but attendees are welcome to bring a cooler.

There will be some vendors with different art and more are welcome understanding that everyone attending is a patriot and that is the mood for the event.

DeLisle can be reached at (406) 515-9655 for information and RSVP’s would certainly be appreciated for a head count.