U.S. servicemembers in Europe ready
to celebrate nation's 225th birthday
By Eric B. Pilgrim,
Stars and Stripes
• Click on country name to see holiday schedules of events for England, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Bosnia.
Keith Boydston / S&S file
photo
A giant Uncle Sam balloon stands tall as fireworks light up the night sky in Naples,
Italy, at the last year's Festa Americana celebration. |
Star Spangled festivities start getting under way as early as Friday night at some
military bases in Europe as Americans gear up for the Fourth of July holiday.
In a few locations, celebrations kick off Friday evening while others begin over the
weekend or early next week as Americans prepare to mark Independence Day.
The parties planned are as unique as a variety pack of fireworks. But whether Americans
are celebrating in Tuzla, Bosnia, or in Thetford, England, or in Sigonella, Sicily, one
thing’s the same all over: Americans will celebrate their nation’s 225th
birthday and relive the tale of a young nation that came of age and showed the world what
independence can do.
"Living in Europe makes you think more about being an American," said Army
Master Sgt. Lisa Hunter, from Bad Kreuznach, Germany. "It seems we spend seventy
percent of our time in uniform. When I see the flag sitting on our uniforms and what it
means to people in the Balkans, that shows how important America is."
Well, this is your day, America. Actually, this is your weekend.
So strap on the dancing boots, pull on that red, white and blue party hat, and free up
your busy work schedule, just in time to celebrate this first July 4 of the new
millennium.
The schedule:
England
West Ruislip
Navy folks will be celebrating noon to 11 p.m. Wednesday. All-day
events for children include face-painting, cookie-decorating, bean and pasta pictures, and
flag-making. Other events include Delta Dog Display Team, 1 and 3 p.m., main arena; Civil
War re-enactment, 4:15 and 6:15 p.m., main arena; space ball, 2-8 p.m., on the field;
Velcro Olympics, 1-8 p.m., on the field. Live bands on the stage include
"Wonderland" at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.; "Bogus Blues Brothers" at 5:30 and
6:45 p.m.; and "KC & The Soul Revue" at 9 p.m. Fireworks begin at 10:30
p.m., main arena.
Starting at 1 p.m. Tuesday, the Navy and Department of Defense
communities only are invited to a celebration until 5 p.m. The event then will open to the
public with a disc jockey and live music from "Abba Candy" and "Too Darn
Hot." Fireworks begin at evening’s end.
RAF Croughton
Revelers will start 10:45 a.m. Tuesday at the picnic pavilion. Events
include posting of the colors; a vintage car display from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; wall
climbing, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; carnival rides, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; softball tournament, 11
a.m. to 5 p.m.; free food (families are asked to bring a side dish), noon to 5 p.m.;
volleyball tournament, noon to 5 p.m.; face painting, noon to 5 p.m.; Family Olympics, 2-3
p.m.
At the Consolidated Club, events include: horseshoes, 6-9:30 p.m.; family karaoke and
disco, 6-10 p.m.; barbecue chicken and ribs, 6-9 p.m.; fireworks, 10 p.m.; and disco for
adults starts at 10:30 p.m.
RAF Feltwell
(for the RAF Mildenhall and Lakenheath communities)
Starting at noon Wednesday, Feltwell will toast Independence Day with
carnival rides, pony rides, food booths and a dog show; a disc jockey will be on hand noon
to 7 p.m. Also featured, Chiefs vs. Eagles softball game, 3 p.m.; Kuk Sool Won
demonstration, 4 p.m.; Commanders vs. First Shirts softball game, 4:30 p.m.; live band,
7:30 p.m.; fireworks, 10 p.m. Also throughout the day will be a classic car show,
watermelon-eating contests, team jump rope, potato-sack races and water-balloon relays.
RAF Alconbury
Events will start at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the picnic area and will
include live rock music, karaoke and children’s entertainment. Fireworks begin at
10:30 p.m.
RAF Fairford
Starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the base lake, events include
kite-flying, paintball, basketball and face-painting. A barbecue will be held at 6 p.m.
and fireworks are set for 10:15 p.m.
Germany
Ramstein Air Base
The 86th Services Squadron hosts Freedom Fest 2001 Tuesday through Thursday
in the Bowling Center parking lot. The free event includes food booths, carnival rides,
live music and children’s activities. Events will run 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday; 11
a.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesday; and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday. The fest tent, rides and food
booths will open at noon all three days. Fireworks will begin at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Courtesy cars will be provided for the overintoxicated and will be available 5 p.m. to
2 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and from 7 p.m. to midnight Thursday. The cars are located on
the street side of the fest tent. For more information, call LeAnne Mills at DSN 480-5757
or commercial 06371-47-5757.
Spangdahlem
Saturday and Sunday will bring the 45th Big Annual
Summer Happening, or BASH, to the historic French Caserne in Bitburg.
The BASH will be hopping with carnival rides, food booths, live music and
children’s activities noon to 1 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Entry is free. Parking is
extremely limited. Organizers recommend people take the base shuttle bus or walk to the
fairgrounds.
For more information, call the 52nd Fighter Wing Services Squadron at DSN:
452-6466/7984 or commercial 06565-61-6466/7984.
Pulaski Barracks
The 415th Base Support Battalion is host to the July 4th Party in the Park from noon to
5 p.m. Wednesday at Pulaski Family Park. Guests can bring coolers and
lawn chairs. The free event includes a barbecue and games, such as horseshoes and
volleyball.
Baumholder
Commander’s Cup Golf Tournament at Rolling Hills Golf Course is set for Wednesday.
The tourney is open to all U.S. ID-card holders and German club members. Sign-up is open
until Sunday. Tee time is 7:30 a.m.. A $25 fee includes food, drink and prizes. Annual
club members are exempt from greens fees.
Wiesbaden
The 221st Base Support Battalion will celebrate Independence Day this year on the
airfield at Wiesbaden Army Airfield beginning at 5 p.m. Wednesday. Events
include children’s rides and face-painting. A historical display will be set up by
Romer Arts and Crafts Center in the airfield operations building. Music, which begins at
5:15 p.m., will include two performances at 5:15 and 7:15 p.m. by country-and-western band
"King’s Cotton"; a square dance and clogging show at 6:30 p.m.; and the 1st
Armored Division Band at 8:30 p.m. Bring lawn chairs for 30 minutes of fireworks later in
the evening. Food is provided at the celebration. Shuttle service will be provided for
residents at Anderson and McCully Barracks.
Darmstadt
The 233rd Base Support Battalion is host to a lively day of celebration beginning at
6:30 p.m. Wednesday. A street dance will get into full swing with a DJ
spinning tunes. Among the many competitions throughout the day will be dance contests, a
horseshoe tournament, relay races, water balloon games and a red, white and blue outfit
contest.
Uncle Sam and other historical characters will roam the area looking to say cheese with
camera-hungry celebrators, all for free. Some food and beverages will be present for the
buying, but picnic baskets are welcome. Fireworks begin at dusk - around 10:30 p.m. - in
the field area down from the Youth Center. For more information, call DSN 348-7220.
Vilseck
A Youth Carnival will be held at Little Mike Lake picnic area from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday.
The "kinderfest-style" event will include activities for all ages, such as
balloon toss, horseshoes, sack races and musical chairs, as well as face-painting, a
jumping castle, train rides and a magician. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided free.
Beverages will be sold by Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers. The BOSS Bash will
also be in full swing in the area from 2-4 p.m.
Fireworks erupt at 10 p.m., behind the medical clinic. For more information on the
Youth Carnival, call DSN 476-3796. For more information on the BOSS Bash, call DSN
476-2959.
Grafenwöhr
On Wednesday, the Gettysburg Block Party will rock the block outside
the Gettysburg Club with barbecue and variety music at 5 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by the
tunes of country-and-western band "Just Country." Inside the club will be
R&B and variety music. The Cyber Ice Cafe will offer reduced prices for Web surfers.
Athen’s Restaurant will offer Greek food specials. Fireworks begin at 10:30 p.m. on
the parade field. For more information, call Peter Koller at DSN 475-6144.
Hohenfels
Possibly the last Independence Day party this year, the Community Activities Center
will be the site of the Celebrate America 4th of July celebration at 3 p.m. Thursday.
Activities include live music, free food, a pie contest, children’s activities, a
jumping castle and fireworks. Other events include a billiards tournament, dart tournament
and chili cook-off. For more information, call DSN 466-2670 or DSN 466-2840 for the
billiards tournament.
Giebelstadt
The Giebelstadt Chapel hosts two showings of the movie "Pearl Harbor" at the
Giebelstadt Army Airfield movie theater from 1-5 p.m. Wednesday. A
cookout should heat things up at 3 p.m. between showings. For more information, call DSN
352-7408.
Spain
Naval Station Rota
Saturday will be the continuation of a six-day celebration. Events
include golf and softball tournaments starting at 10 a.m. A parade begins at 11:30 a.m. at
the Galley. The opening ceremony will kick off at 11:45 a.m. at the fairgrounds. Carnival
rides open at noon. Naval Station Chapel children’s events run 2-6 p.m.; a talent
show runs 5-7:30 p.m.; two bands will play in the evening, "One-day Life" from
8:45-9:45 p.m., and "Deep End" from 10-11:30 p.m.
On Sunday, the softball tournament resumes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A
custom car, bike and sound contest runs all day. More events for children are set for the
afternoon and more bands will play in the evening, including "Driver 8."
Monday will feature the Department of Defense Show: Red, White and
Blue, from 6-9 p.m., and the band "The Helmets" from 9:30-10:30 p.m.
Tuesday will feature the bands "El Tubo Elastica" from
7:30-8:30 p.m.; "Driver 8" fron 8:45-9:45 p.m.; and "The Helmets" from
10:15-11:15 p.m.
Besides several bands, Wednesday will feature a big ceremony involving
several Navy re-enlistments and awards, children’s events from 2-6 p.m., and
fireworks at 11:45 p.m. Casetas will be open throughout the celebration.
Italy
Aviano
The Bellamy Brothers visit the Air Force here on Monday with a concert
beginning at 7 p.m. at the fest tent.
The party resumes at 5 p.m. Tuesday with carnival rides, food booths
and a softball tournament. DJ and live music start at 7 p.m., and a mechanical bull will
buck well past midnight.
The big Chiefs vs. Eagles softball game leads off Wednesday activities
at 10 a.m., followed by a World War II vehicle parade, softball tourney, carnival rides
and food booths until 1 p.m. The party picks back up at 7 p.m. with music and celebration
until the fireworks light the night at 10:30 p.m.
Activities wind down Thursday with a flea market and carnival rides
from noon to 5 p.m., and a Department of Defense show from 6-9 p.m.
Naples
Festa Americana 2001 continues Saturday through Sunday at Carney Park
in Naples. Gates open at noon each day and the festival continues until 2 a.m the next.
Entry gates into the park will close at midnight each day. Entry to the festival is free
for all U.S. military ID-card holders. For non-U.S. military ID-card holders, a fee of
5,000 Italian lira will be charged at the gate. U.S. dollars and Italian lira will be
accepted at all locations within the festival.
Some of the events featured will be softball and volleyball tournaments; a
"new" Calcetto tournament — a half-field soccer game with five players on
each team; and a dog show. Entertainment will be provided by the "USO Dance
Troupe," the "Marcello Coleman Band," "Calibro Blues Band,"
"Dario Paladino Disco," Beatle-mania provided by "Strawberry Fields"
and the Italian radio station, Kiss-Kiss to name a few. Food will be provided by 24
vendors from around the world; and there will be plenty for children, including carnival
rides, an amusement park and face-painting.
A free shuttle service will be provided for U.S. ID-card holders, their families and
"house guests" only. Buses will run from Capodichino, Agnano, Pinetamare, Lago
Patria and the Gricignano Support Site. For the complete festival bus schedule and more
information about Festa Americana 2001, log on to: www.nsa.naples.navy.mil/MWR/mwrmenu.htm
Gaeta
The Olde Mill Inn recreational park is the site of celebrations Wednesday.
A 5-K holiday run will kick off the event at 8 a.m. A softball tournament will begin 9
a.m., along with daylong family picnics, a carnival and amusements rides. Live
entertainment will be provided by the 6th Fleet Band and a USO show. Fireworks will
explode in downtown "Old Gaeta" while live music cranks from the 6th Fleet Band
beginning AT 9:30 p.m.
SICILY
Sigonella
The party will continue Saturday through Sunday at
the Naval Air Station One fairgrounds. Then on Wednesday, silly water
sports can be found at the NAS1 swimming pool from 6-8 p.m. Prizes will be offered. For
details, call DSN 624-4334.
At the NAS1 track starting at 8 p.m., the fastest man and woman in Sigonella will be
running around looking for a trophy. For more information, call DSN 624-5237.
Meanwhile, the Social & Sigonella Birthday Bash will sit at the track from 8-10
p.m. Music, games and activities for the entire family will be available. Fireworks will
cap the evening.
Bosnia
Eagle Base will be the place for sports. On Saturday, a softball
tournament will get into full swing at the softball field; 12 teams will go head-to-head
starting at 9 a.m. Also that day, there will be a 3-on-3 basketball tourney and a 4-on-4
volleyball tourney.
Besides the semi-finals of the previous day, play will resume Sunday
at Minue Park with a horseshoe tourney, tug-of-war contest, a dunking booth, egg toss
races, water balloon toss and board game tournaments. Awards will be handed out at 5 p.m.
After the day’s sports humor is over, LFOR (Laugh Force) Comedians will provide more
humor at 8 p.m.
On Wednesday, more fun and sports are in store. More of the dunking
booth, balloon toss, egg toss, egg races and plenty of games, such as spades and dominoes,
are featured. Unlimited number of two-person teams allowed. More volleyball, tug-of-war,
horseshoes, 3-on-3 basketball and softball are planned. There will also be a 5-K run.
The same day, country-and-western singer Danni Leigh will give a concert at the
softball field beginning at 9 p.m., weather permitting. All SFOR ID-card holders are
invited to attend.
Back to June stories
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Stories from May, 2001
Stories from April, 2001
Stories from March, 2001
Stories from February,2001
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Stories from December, 2000
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