- Gate access? This event is free and open to the public. If you don't have a Department of Defense (DoD) ID, you will be vetted. You can save time and pre-apply for a pass at https://pass.aie.army.mil/?b=usa&i=moore&e=TC6VDG43
- Once you're approved, you can pick up your event pass at the Lindsey Creek Visitor Control Center prior to the Plumley Access Control Point on I-185 through midnight on June 26.
- See Gate Access information above.
- Where can I park? Parking will be available in designated areas around McGinnis-Wickam Hall, at Smith Fitness Center, Building 6, and near designated ranges along Ralph Puckett Parkway.
- Food and beverages available for purchase? YES! Food trucks will sell a variety of food for all your cravings...especially the FUNNEL CAKES!
- Coolers are allowed, but there will be plenty of food and beverage vendors available. No outside alcoholic beverages are permitted.
- All vendors will accept cards and cash. No Venmo or Cashapp.
- Kids’ activities? Of course! We will have the Headquarter Nissan Kids’ Zone - an area set up for youth of all ages to enjoy inflatables, crafts, crazy hair, face painting, rock climbing wall and more...plus it is all FREE! The Kids’ Zone closes at 8:30 p.m.
- Can we bring pets? No. For safety and sanitation reasons, please leave your pets at home. Service dogs are permitted.
- Can we use tokens? Food vendors will accept cash and cards only. If you have MWR tokens from previous events, these can be redeemed for cash at the MWR Token Refund tent. Admission is free, as well as the entertainment, children’s activities, fireworks and parking.
- Will there be an ATM available? Yes, there is an ATM located in McGinnis-Wickam Hall, building 4.
- Will there be a shaded area? Yes! A large shade tent will be set up with fans.
- Can we bring coolers, lawn chairs, blankets, and canopies? Yes! Coolers are allowed but no outside alcoholic beverages are permitted. Lawn chairs and blankets are allowed, and small canopies are permitted in designated areas. No grills are allowed.
- Will there be trainees? Yes, we love our trainees and like to give them a break to celebrate with us.
- Prohibited Items: No guns, knives, or weapons of any kind are allowed. No professional cameras or glass bottles. No pets allowed. No grills. For security reasons, please be prepared for 100% security checks at all entrances to the event venue.
- Small unenclosed canopies are allowed in designated areas only. Smoking allowed in designated areas only.
- What if it rains? The rain date for FIREWORKS ONLY is the following day, June 289. No vendors, entertainment, etc. will be set up. Stay up to date on our Facebook page.
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At Fort Benning, we celebrate Independence Day a little early! Our annual Independence Celebration on June 27 provides Soldiers, their families, and our surrounding community with a safe environment to enjoy a free concert, children's activities and a fantastic fireworks show!
Two multiplatinum acts, Gavin DeGraw and the Plain White T’s are set to coheadline Fort Benning’s Freedom 250 Independence Celebration. Black Rhino Sound, the electrifying Texas DJ, will kick off the evening and energize the crowd.
The 2026 celebration, presented by the Russell County Commission, will also include a Kids’ Zone sponsored by Fort Benning’s Qualified Recycling Program, 34-foot jump towers and a variety of food vendors. New this year is an entire field dedicated to celebrating 250 years of freedom with static military displays and demonstrations.
The Maneuver Center of Excellence Band concludes the evening with a patriotic score choreographed to a large fireworks show.
The 2026 Fort Benning Freedom 250 Independence Celebration starts at 4 p.m. on York Field, located on Eckel Avenue in front of McGinnis-Wickam Hall, Building 4. The public is invited to join our Soldiers and their families for a free concert, fireworks and more! Stay tuned to this page for more information on gate access procedures.
The Fort Benning 2026 Freedom 250 Independence Celebration is sponsored by the Russell County Commission, Fort Benning Qualified Recycling Program, the Gary Sinise Foundation, USAA, Goodwill Industries of Southern Rivers, Stars & Strikes, Groome Transportation, First Command, Wounded Warriors Project, Flint Energies, PMB Media, IHG Army Hotels.
(Sponsorship does not imply endorsement).
Gavin DeGraw, the GRAMMY® Award-nominated multiplatinum singer and songwriter renowned for his signature fusion of pop, soul, country, folk, and funk, first captured hearts with his 2003 Platinum-certified debut album, Chariot, which delivered the Gold single “Follow Through” and Platinum hits “Chariot” and the iconic “I Don’t Want To Be.”
Since emerging in 1997, the Chicago quartet Plain White T's have made a lasting impact with their catchy pop rock anthems. Their iconic single "Hey There Delilah" reached quadruple Platinum status, held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, and garnered two GRAMMY® nominations in 2008. Known for their infectious melodies and engaging performances, Plain White T's continue to be a dominant force in the music scene
This event is free and open to the public. If you don't have a Department of Defense (DoD) ID, you will need to be vetted. You can save time and pre-apply for a pass at https://pass.aie.army.mil/?b=usa&i=moore&e=TC6VDG43 .
Once you're approved, you can pick up your event pass at the Lindsey Creek Visitor Control Center located just prior to the Plumley Access Control Point on I-185 through midnight on June 27.
Here are the ways you can access the installation on the day of the event:
TRUSTED TRAVELER: Visitors who arrive in the same vehicle driven by a DoD ID cardholder will NOT need to obtain a visitor pass; all passengers 18 and older will need to present a valid state or federal ID. 100% ID checks are in effect at all gates.
PRE-VETTING: All non-DoD ID cardholding attendees 18 and older require vetting. You can request a pass online in advance at. Pre-vetted visitors may use any gate on June 27 after 3:30 p.m. The event venue opens at 4 p.m.
DAY-OF VETTING: Visitors who do not take advantage of pre-vetting must use either the Grange or Childers Access Control Points (ACP) on June 27 after 3:30 p.m.
Grange ACP is on Legacy Boulevard just past the National Infantry Museum on the Georgia side of the installation. Childers ACP is accessed from Alabama Hwy. 165.
Everyone 18 and older will need to present a valid state or federal ID.
Sponsorship Opportunities
More than 20,000 people attended the 2025 Independence Celebration, making this event the single largest opportunity we offer our sponsors to reach the Fort Benning community. If you would like to learn more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities, email chaiane.d.jackson.naf@army.mil today!
Vendor Prices
We will have numerous food vendors on the field with a variety of different foods. There is something for everyone! From German Food to good ole Southern fried chicken; Barbeque, Burgers, Hotdogs, and of course – all kinds of sweet treats: Ice Cream (real Italian Ice cream), Shaved Ice, Freeze-Dried candies, Funnel cakes, and more! All vendors will take cards and cash! NO TOKENS will be used at this event.
Become a Food Vendor
We have thousands of mouths to feed, y'all! MWR is looking for Food Vendors who are interested in supporting our annual Independence Celebration on June 28! If you or someone you know would like to participate, contact Lisa-Marie Mardis at lisa-marie.mardis.naf@army.mil. Be sure to include the name of your business, food menu, prices and insurance. Vendors who sign up to join us for Independence Day will also have the opportunity to come to other MWR-facilitated Special Events for THREE years!
