RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Randolph's biennial Independence Day celebration will kick off Friday, July 4, at 5 p.m. on the South Flight line.
The Fourth of July celebration promises to be a fun-filled evening of family entertainment and included food booths, live music, special children's activities, various sports skills events, a petting zoo with pony rides, interactive inflatables and a fireworks display.
The Scott Wiggins Band will open the festivities and has something for everyone to enjoy to include Texas Country, Americana, Southern Rock, Classic Rock, modern Rock and good old honky-tonk. Zack Walther and the Cronkites play a distinctly potent, yet sweet blend of Americana and modern rock, peppered with pop hooks. The band has a powerful and energetic sound, playing songs that are thoughtful about life and love.
For those hungry folks, at least 26 food booths will offer hamburgers, hot dogs, fajitas, turkey legs, watermelon, roasted corn and more. And of course, the Fourth of July would not be complete without cotton candy, funnel cakes and snow cones. Each food booth is manned by base organizations as fund-raisers.
In addition to the great food and live entertainment, children will have the opportunity to participate in exciting games and crafts. Children will enjoy activities such as jewelry and patriotic hat making, beanbag toss and a variety of other games.
Additionally, there will be a petting zoo with pony rides, a water tag maze, inflated space shuttle obstacle course, a large slide for children and small bouncy castles for toddlers.
Back by popular demand, you can show off your athletic prowess in the sport skills area. You will have an opportunity to participate in the football accuracy toss, "Hot Shot" basketball, free throw contest and speed pitch contest. These will be open to all ages from 5-9 p.m. so come on out and "show off." In addition to these ongoing sporting events, there will be a family circuit challenge with 10 stations open to all ages.
Visitors are reminded that you are not allowed to bring coolers, picnic baskets, backpacks, weapons, bicycles, skateboards, personal fireworks or pets onto the base.
However, everyone is encouraged to bring blankets and portable chairs. Since there is no shade on the ramp area, people are also encouraged to wear hats and use a strong sunscreen.
All vehicles will be subject to inspection by Security Forces while on the installation and the use of cell phones while operating a vehicle on Randolph is prohibited. Personal hand-carried items such as handbags, diaper bags and camera bags will also be inspected by Security Forces before entry into the event area is authorized.
All visitors must enter the base through the south and west gates.
Randolph's Fourth of July events are made possible, in part, by the support of several area sponsors. The Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union is sponsoring the fireworks. Other activity sponsors include Magic 105.3, Budweiser and Coca-Cola.
4th of July Festivities Schedule
5 p.m. Gates open
5 - 9 p.m. Interactive Inflatables
5 - 8:30 p.m. Children's Entertainment
5 - 8:30 p.m. Fitness & Sports Skills
5:30 - 7 p.m. Scott Wiggins Band
5:30 - 9 p.m. Petting Zoo, Pony Rides
7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Zack Walther & the Cronkites
9:35 p.m. Fireworks
10 p.m. Event ends