Patriotism at The Post part of 6th Cavalry centennial celebration

The horn section of Tabernacle Big Band, which will entertain at Patriotism at The Post. / 6th Cavalry Museum Contributed Photo
The horn section of Tabernacle Big Band, which will entertain at Patriotism at The Post. / 6th Cavalry Museum Contributed Photo

Celebrating the birth of the United States takes center stage at the 13th annual Patriotism at The Post on Wednesday, July 3, beginning at 7:30 p.m. This Independence Day celebration in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, takes place on historic Barnhardt Circle.

Boy Scout Troop 316 from Flintstone, Georgia, will present the colors to open the event. Festivities will include Tabernacle Big Band's patriotic concert and sing-along, a chalk art festival, food, children's activities, arts and crafts vendors and the naming of the Most Patriotic Boy and Girl. Children ages 10 and younger can compete for Most Patriotic by dressing in their best red, white and blue.

Concessions will include barbecue, hot dogs, drinks, Repici Ice, cotton candy, kettle corn and pork rinds.

Tabernacle Big Band plays music in the style of a 1940s-era band, performing jazz and patriotic arrangements as well as Glenn Miller-style swing music. Song sheets will be available for the patriotic sing-along. All military veterans will be recognized and asked to stand during the "Service Salute."

Georgia Chalk Artist Guild founders Zach Herndon and Jessi Queen, along with guild member Heather Cap, will travel from Atlanta to lead the chalk art event. The theme of the chalk art drawing will be "America the Beautiful."

Anyone may participate in the community art space, but those wishing to compete for prizes will be given a 6-foot by 6-foot square in which to draw. Competitors must register at the information table, and are encouraged to bring their own chalk and equipment to use, although a basic palette of chalk will be available at no charge. Judging will take place at 8 p.m.

"The Army post at Fort Oglethorpe played a huge role in the development of our nation," says Chris McKeever, director of the 6th Cavalry Museum and member of the Fort Oglethorpe Tourism Association. "What better place to celebrate our nation's birth than here on the polo field with great music, family fun, good food and fireworks?"

Patriotism at The Post is organized by the Fort Oglethorpe Tourism Association and is free to attend. A $5 per car donation is requested to park on the polo field, which helps cover the cost of fireworks shot at the event's conclusion. CHI Memorial Hospital Georgia will provide shuttle service for those who need help getting to the polo field.

Rain date is Saturday, July 6.

More info: fortotourism.org or 706-861-2860.

6th Cavalry celebrates its centennial in Fort Oglethorpe

Patriotism at The Post is among events July 1-6 marking the 6th Cavalry's arrival in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, 100 years ago.

Following the end of World War I, 3,300 officers and soldiers of the 6th Cavalry returned from the battlefront and arrived in Fort Oglethorpe on July 4, 1919. The regiment was permanently stationed there until Feb. 16, 1942, when it departed for Camp Blanding, Florida, to prepare to enter WWII.

The following events will mark this centennial:

* July 1-6: Daily Facebook Trivia Contest

* July 2-6: Free admission to the 6th Cavalry Museum, 6 Barnhardt Circle

* July 2: Battlefield Outdoors, 2871 LaFayette Road in Fort Oglethorpe, hosts community bike ride at 6 p.m.

* July 3: Patriotism at The Post on Barnhardt Circle in Fort Oglethorpe

* July 4: Battlefield Outdoors, 2871 LaFayette Road in Fort Oglethorpe, hosts community bike ride at 6 p.m.

* July 5: Veterans breakfast at Hardee's, 541 Battlefield Parkway, with free sausage biscuit, coffee and giveaways, 8-10 a.m.

* July 6: Have your picture taken with a WWII Scout car and Jeep, children's activities and giveaways at the Catoosa County Library, 108 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, Georgia, 10:30 a.m.-noon.

* For more info: www.6thcavalrymuseum.org

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