Ramstein to rock out 4th of July celebration


by Petra Lessoing
435th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Ramstein will celebrate Independence Day with Ramstein’s Rockin’ 4th of July at 2 p.m. on Ramp 6. The event is open to all ID cardholders.

The 435th Services Squadron will have a stage set up for several entertainment events throughout the day. Musical entertainment will be presented by various bands in the fest tent and private organizations will have food booths offering brats, schwenksteaks, chicken wings, sandwiches, hot dogs, steaks, tacos, funnel cakes, frito pies, quesadillas, nachos, snow cones and beverages. The event is family oriented and children’s activities will include an inflation station, face painting, rides and other activities.

At 10:30 p.m., the fireworks show will begin. Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for the show. Attendees are not allowed to bring coolers.

A shuttle service will be available from 1:30 p.m. July 4 to 1:30 a.m. July 5 at the Ramstein Base Exchange parking lot. The Armedforces Against Drunk Driving program will also offer courtesy rides on site. All pets must be on a leash.

The road from Arnold Circle (circle near Ramstein Enlisted Club) heading east to Perimeter Road will be turned into a one-way street July 4. Visitors are not allowed to park along this road. After the fireworks display, the parts yard gate will open for outbound traffic only. Motorists should look out for the road signs.

The 435th SVS is looking for volunteers to help at the Ramstein Rockin’ 4th event from July 3 to 5. If you would like to volunteer, contact Staff Sgt. Welbourne Bronaugh by e-mail at Welbourne.bronaugh@ramstein.af.mil.  

The following events will take place on the stage:
• 2 to 3 p.m.: Dog show and colossal cookie – sign up next to stage
• 2 to 4 p.m.: KMC Idol, preliminary round
• 3 to 5:30 p.m.: Colossal cookie challenge contest, open to all ID cardholders. Participants drop off cookies 2 to 5 p.m.
• 4 to 5:30 p.m.: Dog show contest – best dressed, best trick or behaved, best of show; pie eating contest; Improv
Comedy; watermelon eating contest.
• 5:15 p.m.: Colossal cookie contest winner announcement
• 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Dance Humanity dance performance
• 6:30 to 9 p.m.: Open music and dance

The following bands will perform in the fest tent:
• 2 to 3 p.m.: Limited Time Only (acoustic)
• 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Friktion
Addiktion (rock)
• 5 to 6 p.m.: Konnect 5 (R&B)
• 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.: KMC Idol (finals)
• 8 to 10:15 p.m.: Gary Sinise & Lt. Dan Band
• 10:30 to 11 p.m.: Fireworks
• 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.: Dezember (rock)