The inaugural Freedom Festival presented by The City of Lakeland, Florida, which brought together an crowd of more than 2,000 for live music, food, and fireworks at the new Soccer Annex at Lakeland Preparatory School, was supported by Memphis-based ProductionOne, which deployed dBTechnologies VIO Series loudspeakers and companion components.
While the event site was not exceptionally wide, it extended deep, with scattered food truck generators creating persistent ambient noise. In addition, the logistical layout was being shaped in real time, with teams adapting to the space for the first time.
These challenges were met with flown main left-right arrays each comprised of seven VIO L1610 full-range line array modules joined by eight VIO S218 dual 18-inch subwoofers ground-stacked two high across the front of the stage, to extend low-end frequencies. The system was fine-tuned using Aurora Net, dBTechnologies’ DSP control software, which allowed engineers to align delay, manage EQ, and maintain consistent SPL across the entire venue despite ambient noise and unpredictable terrain.
“The sound quality was fantastic. You could tell everyone was having a great time,” says Matt Brown, Lakeland’s Public Works Director. “I can’t wait until next year.”
Andrew Fisher, Director of Parks and Recreation, adds, “Lakeland’s first annual Freedom Festival was a huge success and one of our strongest events to date. The stage and sound setup played a major role in that, and the audio quality was clear and consistent throughout the event. I visited all the main seating areas, and the sound was easily heard by all.”
