Fireworks were the highlight of the annual Fourth of July celebration at Doughboy Field here. Families enjoyed a multitude of activities including: bouncy castles, a stilt walker, magician and face painting while the Jersey Shore’s own Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes rocked the crowd through a combination of blues and classic rock music. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Throneberry/Released)
Children wait in line to enter the Under the Sea Adventures inflatable fun house during the annual Fourth of July celebration at Doughboy Field July 4 here. Attendees participated in various activities to include bouncy castles, face painting, go-carts and mini golf as the joint base celebrated America’s Independence Day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Carbajal/Released)
A vendor spreads melted cheese onto a cheese steak during the annual Fourth of July celebration at Doughboy Field July 4 here. This year’s celebration included live music entertainment, a stilt walker and a magician to help the Joint base community celebrate the holiday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Carbajal/Released)
Priscilla Wagner, 3, slides down a slide during the annual Fourth of July celebration at the playground at Doughboy Field July 4 here. This was Wagner’s first time to the base’s Fourth celebration. She is a Toms River, N.J., native. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Carbajal/Released)
Children pose for a photo with stilt walker Ronald Maslanka during the annual Fourth of July celebration at Doughboy Field July 4 here. Thousands of people attended this year’s annual on-base celebration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Carbajal/Released)
From left, Nichole, 2, and Emily Trimillos, 4, gather keepsakes for young Air Force recruits during the annual Fourth of July celebration at Doughboy Field July 4 here. Nichole and Emily are daughters of Lt. Col. Ricardo Trimillos, 314th Recruiting Squadron commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Carbajal/Released)
Army Staff Sgt. Cristina Salavar, 1040th Quartermaster company water purification specialist, races around the go-cart track during the annual Fourth of July celebration at Doughboy Field here. The go-cart track was one of several activities available during this year’s event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Throneberry/Released)
Glenn Alexander of the band, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, jams on his guitar during their live performance on the main stage at Doughboy Field July 4 here. They were the only performers at this year’s event, playing some of their own hits. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Throneberry/Released)
Fireworks were the highlight of the annual Fourth of July celebration at Doughboy Field July 4 here. Thousands of people from the surrounding communities and the join base populace attended this year's event to celebrate America’s independence at the premier joint warfighting base . (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Throneberry/Released)
by Bill Addison
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
7/13/2012 - JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Fireworks illuminated the night sky over Doughboy Field parade ground during the installation's annual Fourth of July celebration Wednesday.
The Independence Day celebration is a community outreach event open to the public to show appreciation to the surrounding communities and to celebrate the birth of this great nation.
Thousands of people from the tri-state area came out to the free event to celebrate the nation's independence.
Families enjoyed a multitude of activities including: bouncy castles, a stilt walker, magician and face painting while the Jersey Shore's own Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes rocked the crowd through a combination of blues and classic rock music.
"This is a great partnership with our community and we're happy to share our base and our fireworks show tonight," said Col. John Wood, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst commander, who thanked the crowd members for their attendance.
Wednesday's celebration was a first for the Carlson family of Jackson, N.J., who recently moved to the area from New York.
"We just moved to the local area and were looking for something close by to watch the fireworks," said Heinrich Carlson. His wife, Liz, added that they wanted to come out and show support for local service members as well.
"My brother was in the Navy, so when we saw this was being put together by our troops, we knew we wanted to join in and be part of it," she said.
The event also attracted the Stevens family, of Marlton, N.J., who has been attending for the past five years.
"We love it," said Shila Stevens, wife of Army Capt. Robert Stevens of the New Jersey National Guard's 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. "We love the feel, the entertainment, all of the activities. It's very family oriented."
For her son Charlie, the annual tradition is about much more than music and fireworks.
