GREENVILLE, S.C. - Organizers announced that NEW for the 2009 event will be BI-LO DAY which will be on Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day) and admission will be FREE for ALL ages on Monday. Dennis Waldrop, FWA Chairman stated, "BI-LO has been an invaluable partner of Freedom Weekend Aloft for over 20 years and to say that BI-LO's commitment to this year's event is exciting is an understatement. And after organizers share all the entertainment and featured attractions planned for Memorial Day it will become apparent that this day is the very definition of CAN'T MISS family fun". The FREE admission coupled with the mouth-watering smells of grills fired up offering something sure to please and tantalize everyone's palates, a musical trip to the SC coast plus the largest patriotic musical celebration in the event's 28 year history are some of the day's highlights. In addition to all the new activities Memorial day will feature all the event's signature events with hot air balloons, the family fun zone, sporting events, family field days, amusement rides, music and more.

Freedom Weekend Aloft will open at 12 Noon and the featured music will kick off with sounds that will transport families and shaggers alike to the SC coast as General Johnson and Chairmen of The Board perform. Beach music's best will perform from their endless timeless list of hits which include "Carolina Girl", "Gone Fishin'", "Patches", "Everything's Tuesday", "You Got Me Dangling On A String", "Give Me Just a Little More Time"….and more.

In keeping with the Memorial Day holiday organizers plan to celebrate those individuals who have served our country in the past and also celebrate those individuals who continue to serve our Country today as The United States Fleet Forces Band performs a patriotic concert. This is the largest of the Navy's 12 Fleet Bands and is comprised of 50 of the Navy's finest musicians.

Great music and great food will be on hand Monday as BI-LO announced earlier that their 3rd Annual Certified Angus Beef Grill Off Event will be held at this year's event on BI-LO DAY. Approximately 20 contestants will compete not only for bragging rights but for over $2000 in prizes. Interested contestants can sign up at BI-LO locations throughout SC or online at www.bi-lo.com. Katie Sanfilippo, Events and Sports Marketing Manager with BI-LO, stated "Hosting our GRILL OFF at the event on Memorial Day seemed to be the perfect fit as backyard get togethers and cookouts are for many a Memorial Day and southern tradition. We're excited to take this tradition to the next level as FWA is transformed into SC's largest backyard family gathering and cook out. We are excited that while contestants are busy competing to try and become SC's next Grill Master, we will be able to have event attendees enjoying delicious food as BI-LO in conjunction with our vendors will have grills fired up and will be offering hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken bratwursts and more as our plans are that if it can be prepared on a grill ….it will be available at Freedom Weekend Aloft on Monday."

Previously organizers announced that the 2009 event is returning to four days of non-stop family fun and Greenville Hospital System Freedom Weekend Aloft will take place Memorial Day weekend (May 22-25) at Heritage Park in Simpsonville. In addition to Greenville Hospital System's partnership, organizers announced expanded amphitheater concerts and a new family-friendly festival admission structure. Organizers announced a return to the 28-year old festival's roots with a general admission policy for the festival grounds that will include admission to all event attractions including the 30+ hours of amphitheater concerts. With today's announcement there will be a general admission charge on Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 24th as Memorial Day will be FREE. Children 12 and under will be FREE everyday, and organizers announced that special ticket promotions of "Two for Ten" (discounted $5 tickets) will be available at area BI-LO stores April 15 - April 30.

For more information on admission and tickets, visit www.freedomweekend.org.