Independence Day at Fort Campbell proved to be an unforgettable evening of entertainment with headliner Flo Rida and Blanco Brown, concluding with one of the largest fireworks displays in the area.
A big crowd showed as expected, drawing approximately 35,000 people to the four-day fest, according to Melissa Schaffner, Chief, NAF Support Division, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
The Fort Campbell Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation served as host and organizer of the events with a carnival running from July 2 – 5.
“We are bringing back hip-hop music this year with Flo Rida and blurring the lines between country and hip-hop with Blanco Brown,” Schaffner said early Friday. “During the carnival week, BMW offered a test-drive event, and today we’ve had Appleton Harley Davidson here promoting motorcycle safety through their ‘jump-start’ experience.”
The Army Band opened the show for Blanco Brown and Flo Rida.
“It’s just another 4th of July at Fort Campbell, which means we do it better than anyone else. Why not celebrate freedom with those who protect it,” Schaffner said Friday ahead of the show.
“The weather has been amazing. We have the same carnival vendor that we had last year for the first time. They are so clean, and they offer phone charging stations and baby changing areas and free sunscreen. I think it’s very safe and family friendly.”
On Friday, the carnival opened at 1 p.m. and the Division Parade Field officially opened at 4 p.m. Events kicked off at 5 p.m. with a Division Ceremony – a ‘Salute to the 50 States’ that featured a battery of 120mm howitzers.
Brown mesmerized the audience with his energetic performance on stage and at times among the crowd. Thousands swayed in unison as Brown performed his viral sensation and chart-topping hit “The Git Up”.
Dozens of audience members joined him on stage, dancing with him to the music.
Headliner Flo Rida kept the audience moving as he took the stage and delivered a hit-packed one-hour set that included chart toppers like “Low”, “Right Round”, “Good Feeling” and many others.
The entertainment concluded with an inspiring 20-minute fireworks show set to music. Festivities in the carnival area continued until midnight.
“You can come out here and see the best fireworks show in the area, listen to some great music and not spend a dollar,” Schaffner said.
