The Nebraska Freedom Coalition will be hosting its second annual “Freedom Fest” on Saturday, Aug. 27 this week at the Sarpy County Fairgrounds in Springfield, Neb., bringing in online conservative influencers such as Alex Stein and Ali Alexander along with musical guests rapper Bryson Gray and country singer Austin Michael in something of a conservative Woodstock.

The Nebraska Freedom Coalition is a grassroots organization that recently shook things up at the Nebraska Republican state convention, ousting executive director Dan Welsch and spurring the resignation of several “establishment” Republicans. It has also been at the forefront of hot-button issues such as sex education and critical race theory in public schools. One of the events on Saturday will be an education panel moderated by Matt Innis, who gave presentations in 2021 on a proposed sex education curriculum in Nebraska. Innis was also part of the shakeup at the GOP state convention. getting arrested after being told not to show up only to return hours later and be seated as a delegate.

Speakers will include Alex Stein, who has made a name for himself recently trolling Dave Portnoy on Twitter, congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and numerous town halls pretending to be a distraught left-wing activist. Other speakers include Ali Alexander, who started the “Stop the Steal” campaign in 2020, #WalkAway founder and Nebraska native Brandon Straka, Dr. Ben Tapper (one of the “disinformation dozen”), and representatives of Turning Point USA and Public Square. The emcee will be Chris Baker, formerly on KFAB and currently with the Outlaw Streamers.

Local politicians will also appear at the event, such as former gubernatorial candidates Charles W. Herbster, Brett Lindstrom, Theresa Thibodeau, and Breland Ridenour. Guests will have the chance to “dunk” other candidates for office, such as candidate for Douglas County Sherriff Aaron Hanson, in a dunk tank, which will be operating throughout the event.

There will be three musical acts toward the end of the evening, including rappers Nick Nittoli and Bryson Gray, whose single “Let’s go Brandon” hit #1 on iTunes in 2021. Country singer Austin Michael, former contestant on American, will also perform.

Other activities throughout the day will include yard games, inflatables, ax throwing, an air soft range, vendors, food trucks, and a beer gardens. Tickets are available online and at the door, $25 for adults, $20 for students. (Kids 12 and under are free.) The doors open at 2 PM and the events will run from 4 to 10 PM. Bring your own chairs & blankets — there will be no seating available.

Schedule of Events

2:00 PM: Doors Open
4:00 PM: Freedom Fest ‘22 Kickoff
4:10 PM: Candidates’ & Elected Officials’ Education Panel
- Matt Innis, Moderator
- Brett Elliott, Team SET, Elkhorn Public School Board Candidate
- Brittany Holtmeyer: Papillion-LaVista Public School Board Candidate
- Marni Hodgen: State Board of Education, District 8 Candidate
- Spencer Head: Omaha Public School Board, Current Member
- Adam Gotschall: Metropolitan Community College Board, Current Member