FORT HOOD – Come celebrate our nation’s birthday in style at Fort Hood’s grand party – Freedom Fest.

From the free concert by multi-platinum country artist, Dierks Bentley, to the Arts and Crafts vendors to the myriad of Family activities, this year’s festivities will be more thrilling than ever and fun for the entire family.

The official beginning of Freedom Fest is 1 pm this Saturday and the celebration will continue through the conclusion of the fireworks at 10 pm. 

This year’s celebration has something for everyone to include a favorite of Freedom Fest – free carnival rides.  

Also included in this year’s attractions are a miniature stock car race, Playstation Patrol, Miller Light Dallas Cowboys Exhibit, concessions, family activities, arts and crafts vendors, a military salute to the nation and much, much more.

And everything is free, excluding the Arts and Crafts vendors, concessions and carnival games.

There will also be the annual Freedom Fest 5K Run/Walk that begins at 8 am at Kieschnick Physical Fitness Center on 72nd Street and Support Avenue.

Registration for the race is open to the public and will be available online at www.hoodmwr.com and lasts until the start of the race.

You won’t want to miss this free concert experience by Dierks Bentley, who will bring his current No. 1 Billboard hit “Sideways” to Freedom Fest. Bentley is scheduled to go on stage at 8 p.m.

After selling almost five million copies of his previous three studio albums, which included 10 top-10 singles and five No. 1 hits - most country artists with comparable achievements would be reluctant to veer off a proven hit-making path. 

Bentley is the exception. He shuns the comfort zone and welcomes the risk of what he refers to as “almost bringing the element of failure back into the mix.”

Michael Scott, KriticKill and the 1st Cav Band are also set to perform on a secondary stage at Freedom Fest between 1-6 p.m.

Concluding this year’s party is an extravagant 30-minute fireworks presentation sure to light up the Central Texas sky, which begins at 9:30 pm. Hood Stadium has the best seats in town, so come out early and reserve your perfect viewing spot.

Freedom Fest is a free event open to the public, so come on out to the Visitor’s Control Center and get your passes in advance or hop on one of the off-post buses that are departing from Killeen, Shoemaker and Ellison High Schools, beginning at 3 pm and departing every 20 minutes thereafter.

The last dropoff is scheduled for 11 pm. For those taking the bus, please bring only folding lawn chairs and strollers.

Due to limited space, no wagons are allowed on the bus. You must be 18 years old or older to ride the bus without an adult.

Prohibited items at the Freedom Fest are explosive weapons, firearms, knives, clubs, brass knuckles, glass containers (except baby bottles), pets, alcohol and fireworks.

Permitted items include: strollers, blankets, lawn chairs, small wagons, cameras and video recorder/camcorders.

As a security precaution, items such as backpacks and handbags are subject to search. Certified service animals are permitted.

Freedom Fest 2009 will be a day chocked full of fun and excitement for all involved, so make your plans to bring the whole family today and celebrate our independence with all of us on Fort Hood.