RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
For more than three decades, Lackland opened its gates to the public for its Independence Day celebration. This year's celebration, the first since Randolph and Lackland realigned under Joint Base San Antonio, will be held at Randolph's south flightline.
Set to kick off July 4 at 5 p.m., the celebration, which is free and open to the public, offers participants a wide range of activities - from games, interactive inflatables and arts and crafts for children to music from The Psychedelic Jukebox from 6-9:30 p.m. and a spectacular fireworks display at 9:35 p.m. to cap the evening.
"This is our first Independence Day celebration as part of the 502nd Air Base Wing," said Shelta Reese, 902nd Force Support Squadron marketing director. "It's fun for the whole family, with lots of activities for kids. It's always a good time."
Activities for youngsters include a water tag maze, an inflated boot-camp-style obstacle course, a double slide and the Game Truck, which features an array of age-appropriate interactive electronic games.
A sport skills area will give visitors a chance to display their prowess in throwing a football and baseball and shooting free throws. A family circuit challenge with six stations will be open and a Zumba demonstration is planned for the main stage at 6:45 p.m.
Ms. Reese said the Zumba demonstration fits in with the Air Force's FitFamily initiative.
"We're trying to get people active and get them moving," she said.
San Antonio's Psychedelic Jukebox, formed by a radio station's employees to play at the company's Christmas party, performs music from the 1960s and 1970s, including tunes by the Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Rascals, the Doobie Brothers, Steppenwolf and others.
Food and drink will be in abundance, with vendors offering hamburgers, hot dogs, fajitas, turkey legs, watermelon, roasted corn, cotton candy, funnel cakes and snow cones throughout the event.
Coolers, picnic baskets, backpacks, weapons, bicycles, skateboards, personal fireworks and pets are not allowed on base.
Ms. Reese said guests should bring their own chairs and use plenty of sunscreen. Bottled water and other beverages will be sold.
The public will enter Randolph through the south gate off Lower Seguin Road or the east gate off FM 78 and will be directed to parking while Department of Defense cardholders are encouraged to use the main gate or the west gate.
Ms. Reese said all vehicles are subject to inspection by security forces while on base, and personal hand-carried items such as handbags, diaper bags and camera bags will be inspected before entry into the event area is authorized.
The use of cell phones while operating a vehicle at Randolph is prohibited.
For more information, visit the
Randolph July 4th Celebration Web page or call 652-2052.