Contestants rallied for a hot dog eating contest at a July 4, 2024, celebration at Osan Air Base, South Korea. (Luis Garcia/Stars and Stripes)

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea – Air Force families celebrated July 4 at this air base south of Seoul with plenty of martial arts and K-9 demonstrations.

Liberty Fest at the air base flight line included a demonstration of taekwondo by Kukkiwon Demo Team and a hot dog eating contest. A static display of A-10 Thunderbolt II and F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft drew a crowd.

Master Sgt. Joanne Griffin leads Pacific Trends, an Air Force musical ensemble, during the July 4, 2024, Liberty Fest at Osan Air Base, South Korea. (Luis Garcia/Stars and Stripes)

Family-friendly events like these are also good for single service members, Master Sgt. Mark Kiegel told Stars and Stripes Thursday during the festival.

“It greatly improves their morale, it gives them something to do that is productive and lets them join and celebrate together,” Kiegel said.