June 23, 2011
By Bob Mathews, Family and MWR Marketing Publicity Specialist
FORT STEWART, Ga. – Fort Stewart’s “Worth Fighting For” Independence Day Weekend Celebration will offer something for every member of the Family, including golf, food, kids’ activities, Grammy-winning performers in concert and fireworks to light up the night sky.
Most of the celebration’s activities at Fort Stewart will be on July 4, Independence Day. However, other events scheduled as part of the Stewart observance are:
• July 1 at 9 a.m., the Independence Day Weekend 4-person Golf Scramble will tee off at Taylors Creek Golf Course. Cost is $30 per person. Trophies awarded for first, second and third place. Potential players can call 912-767-2370.
• On July 3, a “Salute to the Nation” will be held at 6 p.m. at Cottrell Field. One artillery round will be fired for each of the 50 states in this stirring, colorful tribute to America. There is no charge.
A variety of activities are scheduled July 4 at Newman Field from mid-morning until evening, when the celebration shifts to the concert at Donovan Field.
To add to active-duty Soldiers and their Family Members’ enjoyment, use of Corkan Recreation area facilities will be free from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 4.
Independence Day participants are urged to take precautions to prevent illness brought on by the heat. Free water will be available at hydration stations sponsored by Coca-Cola.
Coca-Cola’s sponsorship also will include a “Swelter Stopper,” a cool and refreshing, inflatable igloo-like facility during concert hours.
Additional sponsors include Budweiser (Southern Eagle); Navy Federal Credit Union; Mike Reed Chevrolet; Geo Vista Credit Union; USAA, OMNI, Miles, Sprint, USA Discounters, United Rentals and Shane’s.
Sam’s Path Petting Zoo is bringing back some exotic animals for the enjoyment of parents and kids alike. The zoo will be in the Newman field area from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The highly popular and crowd-pleasing Disc-Connected K9’s Frisbee dog show also is returning. Shows will be in the Newman Field area at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Also in the Newman Field area on July 4, the Second Chance Band will perform from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Following is the schedule of other events for July 4, Independence Day, at Fort Stewart.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ” Newman Field children and youth activities, free to Soldiers and their Families. Activities and inflatables will include a bounce house, Turbo Slide, Wild One Slide, climbing wall, trampoline jump, spin art, character drawing, mechanical bull, video arcade, balloon artist, video arcade, outdoor laser tag, games and face-painting. Food vendors also will be present.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ” Free admission for Soldiers and Family Members at the “The Springs Splashpark,” the outdoor pool and other activities in the Corkan Family Recreation Area. Bowling at Stewart Lanes will be free.
11:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. ” Hinesville Military Affairs Committee food court providers will serve Soldiers and their Family Members a wide variety of free food such as barbecue, sausage dogs, bratwurst, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs and hamburgers in the vicinity of AAFES Service Center. A tent and a picnic area will add to the Family’s comfort.
Paul “P.J.” Schneider, who along with his wife, Melinda, co-chairs the HMAC’s hospitality committee, said the committee plans a Lowcountry Boil, and supporters are being asked to provide specialty items such as boiled peanuts, watermelon, snow cones, and other foods “you would normally associate with a celebration of the Fourth of July.”
An estimated 200 to 350 volunteers representing city government, county government, businesses, veterans groups, faith-based groups and civic organizations from throughout the Coastal Empire will staff the food court, Schneider said.
6 -10 p.m. ” Independence Day concert at Donovan Field features Grammy award winners Fantasia and the Zac Brown Band. The concert is free. Fantasia will open the concert at 6 p.m.
The Zac Brown Band will follow Fantasia at 7:30 p.m. Gates will open at 5 p.m.
A fireworks display following the concert will bring the celebration to a close.
Hunter Army Airfield will celebrate Independence Day on July 2.
A Reminder…
Pets and coolers are prohibited at all locations for the Independence Day celebration. Cameras, video cameras, tents and beach umbrellas are prohibited at the Donovan Field concert.
Fourth Details on FMWR Web Site
Visit the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Web site at www.stewartmwr.com/ for parking and event maps as well as other details of the “Worth Fighting For” Independence Day Weekend Celebration at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield.