Public invited to attend ‘Freedom Fest’ at Fort Lewis July 4

FORT LEWIS, Wash. – Fort Lewis invites the public to celebrate Independence Day at the 2009 Freedom Fest, to be held Saturday, July 4 at Cowan Stadium.

The event kicks off at 8 a.m. when more than 10 teams match up for a Rugby tournament on Watkins Field. The tournament will run throughout the day and conclude around 4 p.m. There will be a 7K “Down & Dirty” Mud Run at Soldiers Field House beginning at 9 a.m. The Classy Chassis Car Show is at 11 a.m. behind Memorial Stadium Carnival rides and vendor booths offering fair food of every flavor will open at 10 a.m. and stay open all day. Roving acts performing throughout the festival area will include stilt walkers, a clown, a magician, and jugglers.

Also appearing all day long will be children’s entertainment on the “Kids World” stage and live music, in styles ranging from 50’s and 60’s hits to R&B and classic rock, on the festival’s Main Stage.

At 9 p.m., the Fort Lewis Salute to the Union ceremony will begin at Cowan Stadium, followed by an Army Band performance at 9:30. Fireworks will begin at dark, or approximately 10 p.m. – stadium seating should ensure everyone who attends will have “the best seat in the house.”

Installation access instructions:
Members of the public who do not have a vehicle registered for installation access should take I-5 South to exit 119, and enter the installation at the DuPont Gate. All visitors are subject to search of their vehicles, purses, backpacks and other hand-carried items upon entering the post. Drivers should bring a valid driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance, and passengers age 16 and older should bring photo ID. Installation security will direct the visitors to a satellite parking area, where shuttle buses will provide transportation to the festival site.