CONWAY, Ark. — Conway's Fourth of July festival kicked off Wednesday despite an E. coli outbreak at the Beaverfork Lake Park public swim beach.
Freedom Fest brought dozens of people together for food and live music.
"It's fun," T&K's Kettle Corn Owner Todd Cardin said. "Once the band gets started and everyone gets hyped up and starts jumping around."
Conway resident Dwight Witcher went to the event and enjoyed the atmosphere.
"People will be out here dancing and singing along with everybody," Witcher said.
Freedom Fest is an annual event in Conway to celebrate Independence Day.
People come out to eat and have fun, including Cardin, a local business owner who sells kettle corn.
"We made a few extra last night," Cardin said. "It's all fresh."
The event is right on the edge of Beaverfork Lake, but swimming in it is unlikely anytime soon.
The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) said the swim beach has not been resampled since its first few tests showed high E. coli levels in the water. ADH said the beach will not be open through the weekend.
Despite the closure, that didn't stop people from having a good time.
"Yeah, my favorite part is just meeting people, handing out flags, especially the kids," Witcher said.
The Indian Lake swim beach in Lonoke County is also closed right now. Click here for more information.