30,000 visitors expected for Freedom Fest

Laura M. Levering/Northwest Guardian

The Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation is inviting everyone to arguably the installation’s largest annual event. You don’t have to be a military ID cardholder to enjoy Freedom Fest.

More than 30,000 people are expected to attend the annual celebration of our nation’s birth held July 4 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. From the annual Down and Dirty 8K Mud Run and rugby tournament starting at 9 a.m. to the colorful fireworks display illuminating the sky at night and everything in-between, Freedom Fest offers something for everyone.

The main festivities for the public will kick off at noon inside Cowan Stadium. The event will be very similar to last year, with the exception of the headlining entertainment. The USO is bringing featured entertainer Gary Sinise and the Lieutenant Dan Band to Freedom Fest.

Sinise is best recognized for his role as Lt. Dan Taylor in the 1994 Academy Award winning movie, “Forrest Gump.” Sinise has since starred in other films and TV hits including “Ransom” and “CSI: NY.”

In 2003, Sinise formed The Lieutenant Dan Band, named after his “Gump” character. According to its website, the band has played an average of 30 to 40 shows per year with about 75 percent of those shows for the USO, charities or benefits.

DFMWR Special Events Coordinator, Kate Laverents, said the concert is just one of many attractions that will be at Freedom Fest. Patrons can enjoy the Classy Chassis Classic Car Show, games, pony rides, bounce houses, a beer garden, craft vendors, onstage and walking entertainment. There will also be dozens of options for satisfying carnival food cravings.

There is no charge for admission, but there are fees for carnival rides, pony rides, food and games. Most of the games and food booths are being used as fundraisers for private organizations and Family readiness groups, so the money earned goes back to the JBLM community or for military support causes. Overall, it should be an affordable outing for the majority of Families.

“The charge for the bounce houses and pony rides are not out of line with what you would expect to pay elsewhere,” Laverents said. “If people want inexpensive food, they can buy from the FRGs for probably not very much, or they can go to one of our fancier food vendors and pay a little bit more for a barbecue and maybe a bigger meal.”

Prism glasses will be handed out to patrons beginning at 5 p.m. in preparation for the fireworks show. They come courtesy of America’s Credit Union, and make for a unique experience.

“They sort of fracture the light,” Laverents said. “It’s really cool.”

Gary Sinise and the Lieutenant Dan Band take the stage at 6:30 p.m., and are followed by the “Salute to the Union” — a ceremony that formally recognizes all U.S. states and territories. The 56th Army Band will perform, then as night falls, fireworks will fill the air, impressing thousands of spectators across the installation.

“The fireworks shows here rate among the best I’ve ever seen,” Laverents said. “They really outdo themselves.”

Freedom Fest will go on rain or shine.

“It should be a really good day and a great way to celebrate the country’s birthday,” Laverents said. “We’re just hoping for really good weather.”

If you go

• The Joint Base Lewis-McChord Freedom Fest is at Cowan and Memorial stadiums July 4 from noon to 11:30 p.m. The event is free to the public. Vehicles without Department of Defense stickers should enter JBLM Lewis-Main through the DuPont Gate at the I-5 Exit 119. Satellite parking is available just inside the DuPont Gate and shuttle buses run from the parking area to event site. All vehicles are subject to being searched, so drivers should bring driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance. Guests are strongly advised not to bring pets — especially dogs — because of the loud noise emitted by fireworks.

• For more information, visit www.jblmmwr.com.