The fragrance of hot-dogs cooking on a grill, smoke from a fire pit where marshmallows were toasted and children laughing on water slides and in the bounce house filled the air Wednesday for the second-annual Freedom Fest at the Bradford Alliance Church on Minard Run Road.

Pastor Rob Jeffrey said the church was prepared to host as many as 500 people comprising families, older couples and individuals. The event included free food, games and fun before the fireworks show at nearby Pennhills Club on Minard Run, which can be viewed from the church.

“You do these things and you never know if you’re going to get 100, 300 or 30, “ Jeffrey said while watching over the various activities held on the grounds of the church. “It was such a success last year, and I’m more than pleased now — this is awesome.”

Jeffrey said that, as with last year’s event, the skies threatened rain during the day, but held off for the large community party.

“The weather is amazing, this is two years in a row that it was supposed to rain and it hasn’t,” Jeffrrey said while looking toward the sky. “I know a guy” up above.

Participants of the event included Dan and Kathy Karrasch of Bradford.

“This is great, I was just sitting here thinking that this is like an old-fashioned church social,” Karrasch said while sitting near the fire pit. He noted that he and his wife don’t typically travel to firework shows, but this was worth the effort.

Another participant, Fred Cramer, finished up a game of horseshoes, before sitting down at a table to watch the children play various games.

“I haven’t thrown horseshoes in years, I’m 89 years old,” Cramer shared. “It’s really a nice church.”

Tyler Thomas, who was at the event for the first time with his three sons, said they were all having a good time.

“This is nice and it’s good for the kids,” Thomas said. “It provides some fun and keeps them company until the fireworks.”

Jessica Smith, who was also at the event with her three children, said it was their first time to visit the church to watch the fireworks.

“We always go to Bradner Stadium (in Olean, N.Y.), we’ll go tomorrow to Bradner,” Smith said. “We go everywhere.”

Another visitor, Becky Cramer, brought her children for the second year in a row.

“It’s lots of fun and lots of games and people you know,” Cramer said. “And it’s great to watch the fireworks.”

Church member Paul Ivanich was found running the water slide and said it took 20 to 25 volunteers at the church a couple of days to set up all of the events on the grounds.

“We’ve been planning this for probably a month and a half,” Ivanich said.