FORT RUCKER, Ala. – Our nation’s 233rd birthday is rapidly approaching as the Fort Rucker community prepares for its annual Freedom Fest celebration and this year's event is in a brand new location.

The event is Friday, July 3, from 4 to 11 p.m. on the fields on both sides of Andrews Avenue between Dean and Crusader streets.

Post officials host this year’s festivities in the new location off Andrews Avenue to provide attendees with more space for event activities, and convenient parking closer to the event site, eliminating the need for shuttle buses, according to Fort Rucker Project Officer Kelly Raftery.

The expected 20,000-plus festival crowd may visit onsite vendors to purchase food items such as funnel cakes, barbeque, frozen sweet tea and roasted corn, and arts and crafts including country Americana, leather items, adult and children's clothing, purses and jewelry.

The formal Freedom Fest program, which begins promptly at 8 p.m., is preceded by an hourlong concert by the 98th Army Rock Band. Once under way, the program will include a more traditional patriotic concert by the band and the region’s greatest fireworks display. Strategically
placed Jumbotrons will provide everyone in attendance easy viewing of the program from various vantage points.

Also during the program, 15th Alabama Infantry Re-enactors don U.S. Army uniforms reaching as far back as the War of 1812, as they carry flags from various periods of our nation’s history.

The location change also offers more space for static displays.