Sunshine and smiles were the order of the day Friday for the downtown sidewalk sales at the Provo Freedom Festival.

There was something for everybody in approximately 200 booths displaying disaster preparedness kits, temporary tattoos and more. There were carnival activities, a car show and entertainment in the tabernacle park.

Smoky barbecue smells mixed with those from Navajo tacos and the sweet aromas of flavorful shaved ice. There also was a mixture of serious topics and fun ones. Representatives from the Provo Fire Department brought a trailer designed to represent a home in order to teach livesaving skills. Other booths did face painting or offered the tattoos.

David Pratt, the co-chairman of the event, said they had around 180 booths with paid vendors, plus other non-profit groups that did not have to pay for their exhibits. They start preparing in February, although at this year's event they will take sign-ups from those who wish to exhibit next year.

He said the response from the public was good.

"This year has been very good," he said. "I go talk to the vendors to gauge how people like things. Today is fantastic. This is exactly what we love to see."

The visitors seemed to agree.

Michael and Yvette Soelberg from Springville brought their 2-year-old son Luca.

"We are having lots of fun," Michael Soelberg said. "It is really nice and really well organized. We like historical Provo."

"They have kid-friendly booths, which we like," Yvette Soelberg said. "There is a nice variation in the booths, too. We hope they continue having the Freedom Festival."

David and Stevanie Banner of Lindon brought three daughters, ages 10, 8 and 5.

"They are really enjoying it," said David Banner, as the girls played in the "Rocks Build Utah" exhibit. "I have never seen a portable sandbox on a trailer before."

The girls and other children dug in the sand with their hands and tools and toys which were available.

"If they find a rock they get treats," Stefanie Banner said.

She said they enjoyed the Colonial exhibits.

"The Colonial stuff was great," she said. "The kids really enjoyed that. One guy was on a cell phone and my daughter said, 'Not in this century.' "

Five-year-old Kate Banner said her favorite part was the sandbox on wheels.

"I liked digging for rocks," she said.

At another exhibit, Sgt. Apryl Williams of the Provo Army Recruiting Office said she enjoyed showing some of the Army's vehicles to the public, meeting them and opening up lines of communication.

"We are out here bringing some of our vehicles for people to see what they are about," she said. "They can climb through and see what they are like. They can get on them and play around. We are promoting the Army, passing out pamphlets. A lot of people are really interesting in climbing around. Some had an interest in finding out what the Army has to offer with the situation of jobs and the economy.

"We are here to let people know that we are friendly and we do care about the community."

Jennifer and Gary MacKay of Provo said they liked wandering around the whole area.

"We are just wandering around, looking at different things," Gary MacKay said. "The variety of food is always good."

Jennifer MacKay had another favorite.

"The printing press was really fun and very informative," she said. "This is fun. I have always enjoyed coming here."

Jena Hancock staffed the American Red Cross booth with first aid kid and 72-hour kits. They also offered a schedule of classes they present.

"I have had a lot of questions in regard to disaster relief," she said. "A lot of people are interested in volunteering for those programs. It is fun to volunteer. It makes you feel good."

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