Living in Europe doesn’t mean having to miss out on July Fourth festivities. U.S. military communities across Europe will celebrate the holiday next week with games, music, carnival rides and fireworks.
Following is a sampling of events planned at U.S. bases:
• Belgium
Brussels: The Brussels Area Support Team celebrations take place June 30 at the 3-Star Recreation Center, noon to 10 p.m. Bingo, bunco, Texas Hold ’Em, DJ music. Free fireworks, 11 p.m. at Sterrebeek Annex.
SHAPE: Noon on June 30 at the GB shopping area. Amusement rides, live entertainment, face-painting, an auto and motorbike display, frozen T-shirt contest. Fireworks 11 p.m. behind the Total service station. Open to all U.S. and NATO ID cardholders.
• Germany
Ansbach: From 4-11 p.m. on July 4, Storck Barracks. Rides, music, bouncy castle, refreshments, fireworks.
Bamberg: Events at Pendleton Field begin at 2 p.m. on July 4. Auto and motorbike show, beauty pageant, carnival rides, juggling demos and workshops, DJs, more. Fireworks 10:30 p.m.
Baumholder: Hall of Champions and Wagon Wheel Theater parking lots at Smith Barracks on July 4. A 5-kilometer run begins at 8 a.m., followed by a softball tournament and golf scramble at 9 a.m. Free bowling at Strikers, 1-8 p.m. Keg is tapped at 3 p.m. DJ music, sports for teens, watermelon- and pie-eating contests, raffles, Baumholder’s Got Talent. Arts and crafts, rides, extreme bungee trampoline for kids. Free fireworks set to music on Minnick Field. Open to U.S. ID cardholders and authorized guests.
Grafenwöhr: 6-11 p.m. on July 4, parade field. Games, face-painting, bouncy castle, battle of the DJs, magic shows live music from the Kayleigh Leith Band, fireworks.
Heidelberg: Events at Patrick Henry Village Park start at 4 p.m. on July 4. Bumper cars, beach party, dunking booth, live music by the USAREUR chorus. For kids: games, carousel, pie-eating contest. A salute to the 50 states and fireworks show. Open to U.S. ID cardholders.
Hohenfels: Freedom Fest on the Festplatz starting 3 p.m. on July 4. Live music, children’s activities, kids bouncers, face-painting, food-and-drink stands, kids’ bungee jumper; fireworks.
Kaiserslautern: The KMC celebration takes place 2 p.m.-midnight July 4 on Ramstein Air Base at the Enlisted Club. Live music, carnival rides, food booths, prizes, kids activities. Fireworks at dusk. LVIS Gate will be open for POVs. Free shuttle from Armstrong’s Club on Vogelweh from 1:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. is for ID cardholders only. Visitor access is through West Gate only.
Schweinfurt: July 4, starting at 9 a.m. with Firecracker Fun Run of 5- or 10-km for adults, or 2-, 3- or 5-km for youth. Starting 2 p.m. on Kessler Field, there will be live music, car show, salute to the states, food for purchase. For kids: bouncy castles, bungee catapult ride, face-painting. Fireworks set to patriotic music.
Stuttgart: Husky Field on Patch Barracks, 4 p.m.-midnight on July 4. Children’s rides, family fun, food, beverages, fireworks.
Wiesbaden: On July 4, starting at noon at the Wiesbaden Entertainment Center, Mississippi Strasse 22. Live music, dancing, DJs, food and drink, rides including bumper cars and a freefall tower, prize drawings; fireworks at 10:30 p.m.
• Italy
Aviano: Celebrations start at 10 a.m. on July 4 with the Chiefs vs. Eagles game. Starting at 6 p.m. at Freedom Park, listen to jazz and pop with the USAFE Check Six Band and the dance group Electric Youth. Contest for the most patriotically dressed child at 7:30 p.m. Climbing wall, face-painting, balloon toss, sponge relay and remote-control aircraft for kids. Fireworks at 10:10 p.m. Event is for ID cardholders and their guests.
Camp Darby: July 4 at the American Beach starting 9 a.m. Games for kids and adult beach volleyball, DJ music, dancing, from 7 p.m.-midnight. A barbecue meal from 5-9 p.m. costs $9 per person. Fireworks 10 p.m.
Vicenza: U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza celebrates on July 4 from 10 a.m.-midnight at the track & field area. Car bash, amusement rides, bouncy castles, live music, dunk tank, face-painting, mechanical bull, live music, more. Fireworks 10:30 p.m. from the post softball field.
• United Kingdom
RAF Feltwell: Celebrations begin 9 a.m. on July 4 with a fun run. Rides, games, food booths open at noon. Cheerleading demonstrations, family activities, car and bike show, birds of prey demonstration, fly-bys. RAF Red Arrows Aerial Display 6 p.m.; Idols World Tour Performance, 7:30 p.m. Fireworks 10 p.m. Event is open to the public. Shuttle bus for ID cardholders runs from RAF Lakenheath (BX Roundabout) and RAF Mildenhall (Bob Hope Community Center).
