General Public Invited To Joint Base Lewis-McChord For 4th of July Freedom Fest

(Editor's note: This is from Joint Base Lewis-McChord)

Members of the general public are invited to attend the 2012 “Freedom Fest” at Joint Base Lewis-McChord Wednesday, July 4, from noon to 11:30 p.m. at Cowan and Memorial Stadiums on JBLM Lewis-Main.

(Click here to watch a video on the event)

Admission to this annual event is free and open to members of the public.

Gates open at noon to Freedom Fest attendees – visitors should bring photo ID and vehicles must enter the base via Interstate 5, exit 119 (see details, below).

All-day attractions include a midway with carnival rides, “fair food,” and other concessions, “Kids World” activities, “Classy Chassis” car show, jugglers, stilt-walkers and other roving performers, a puppet performance, and live music.

At 6 p.m., an unnamed “mystery” headline performer will entertain the crowd with classic ‘80s rock hits in Memorial Stadium, followed by The Rhythm Nation at 8 p.m. In Cowan Stadium Freedom Fest will honor the United States flag along with those of active, Reserve and National Guard units with the traditional Massing of the Colors beginning at 8:30 p.m.

The fireworks display is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m.

Installation access instructions:

Members of the public who do not have a vehicle registered for base access should take I-5 to exit 119, and enter at the DuPont Gate (military ID card holders with installation access privileges may enter at other gates. Parking is first-come first-served, and carpooling is encouraged when possible).

Drivers should bring a valid driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. Passengers age 16 and older must bring a photo ID to be admitted onto the installation.

Security staff will direct visiting vehicles to a satellite parking area, where shuttle buses will provide transportation to the stadium.

All visitors to the installation are subject to search, as are vehicles, purses, backpacks, and other hand-carried items entering the base. Weapons, glass bottles, fireworks of all kinds, and pets will not be permitted on the festival grounds.