(FORT CARSON, Colo.) — Fourth of July celebrations are kicking off early across Southern Colorado, as thousands of service members, along with their families and community members, gathered for Freedom Fest at Fort Carson Army Post on Saturday, June 28.

Organizers said the annual event is a chance for soldiers to take a break from daily stress and focus on quality time with their families. The event was held at Iron Horse Park, and the celebration featured a live rock concert, bounce houses, food trucks, and a dazzling fireworks show.

Among the local vendors was the Kibler Group, a Colorado Springs real estate team committed to supporting veterans and giving back to the community by helping them find new homes.

“My way of serving is not in the military, I just wasn’t really designed for that”, said The Kibler Group’s Sarah Sobotka. “But I can serve these families by making sure they have a roof over their heads, so seeing all of these other families and companies out here and providing support to these military families, that’s our way to pay it back to them and to serve them.”