Freedom Rally Tea Party is Sat., July 18

The Eureka Tea Party civic activist group is holding a "Freedom Rally" from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sat., July 18, in the Edward O’Reilly Amphitheater at Bluebird Park in Ellisville.

Country rock band Stone Mountain Railroad, from DeSoto, Mo., will provide music.

Dave Roland, an attorney and scholar from the Show-Me Institute of St. Louis, who also has a degree in theology, will be the keynote speaker. He has worked for three years in the nation’s capital as an attorney with the Institute for Justice where he litigated school choice, economic liberty and property rights cases in state and federal courts. He earned undergraduate degrees in political science and Biblical studies at Abilene (Texas) Christian University before studying law and religion at Vanderbilt University, where he received his master of theological studies (MTS) and his law degrees in 2004.

There will be a "heritage" costume contest (i.e., Irish, German, Italian, etc.) and an "open-mike" contest for the best 2-minute speech regarding family history and/or current events for those who wish to enter and register early. There also will be door prizes for those who register at the rally entrance.

Food, non-alcoholic beverages and other items will be available for sale.

This event is free to the public. Early registration at the Web site is encouraged.

Lawn chairs and blankets will be necessary for outdoor seating. The law requires no alcoholic beverages, but coolers with food and plastic containers will be allowed.

Donations are accepted either through the Web site or at the rally.