Award-winning country duo Maddie & Tae headlines our free concert.  Maddie & Tae took country radio by storm in 2013 with a brilliant counter to bro-county, the Platinum-selling smash, “Girl In A Country Song.” Longtime friends and collaborators, Maddie & Tae bring honest songwriting and tight harmonies to the stage. In 2022, Maddie & Tae took home Group/Duo Video of the Year (“Woman You Got”) at the CMT Music Awards and were nominated for Duo of the Year at the 59th ACM Awards in 2024.

Special guest Eric Paslay is a Platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated songwriter, artist and performer. With five number one hits, including his smash lead single “Friday Night,” the country artist has earned numerous songwriter award nominations including Grammy’s Best Country Song, ACM’s Song of the Year (twice) and CMA’s Song of the Year.

Black Rhino Sound, the electrifying Texas DJ, returns this year to kick off the evening and energize the crowd from the Floor & Décor stage.

Coming soon.

Coming soon.

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 28 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 28 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.

More than 20,000 people attended the 2024 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!

We will have 50 different food vendors on the field with a variety of different foods. There is something for everyone! From Hawaiian, 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. 

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 Carolyn Shelton at carolyn.h.shelton.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!

o   Sand Hill Recreation Center

o   Harmony Church Recreation Center

o   Main Post Recreation Center

o   IBAR

o   Milton E Long Library

o   Recreational Shooting Complex

o   Smith Fitness Center 24-hour access closed June 28 5 p.m. – midnight.

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 27.

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 29. No vendors, entertainment, etc. will be set up. Stay up to date on our Facebook page.