Fort Oglethorpe’s annual Independence Day celebration, called Patriotism at The Post, will be held Wednesday, July 3. The event , which will take place on the polo field at Barnhardt Circle, will feature chil-dren’s activities, music, dancing, and fireworks. Visitors can bring a lawn chair or blanket. Concessions will be available on the field, as well as parking for $5 a car. Hutcheson Medical Center’s Auxiliary will provide a shuttle for the handicapped. This will be the seventh annual Patriotism at The Post. It is sure to draw a large crowd, says director of the Sixth Cavalry Museum Chris McKeever, who is in charge of organizing the event. “It's exciting to see the same families at Patriotism at The Post each year,” McKeever said. “The kids enter the coloring and patriotic kid's contest and you notice how much they've grown.” Music will be provided by Tabernacle Big Band, which performs jazz, patriotic arrange-ments and Glenn Miller swing-style numbers. The group has a full 1940s-era band with four trumpets, four trombones, five saxophones and a rhythm section. “How can you not be ready to celebrate the Fourth of July when we open the concert with Glenn Miller’s ‘In the Mood?’” said trumpet player John Feezell. “We want to see people in front of the stage dancing and everyone joining in for the patriotic sing-along.” This will be the second year Tabernacle Big Band has performed for event. Patriotism at The Post will kick off at 7:30 p.m. with the patriotic kids contest. The family-friendly event will award children dressing in the most patriotic outfits of red, white and blue. The contest is for children 12 years old and younger. One boy and one girl will win a prize for being the best decorated. Those participating will line up at the bandstand to show off their patriotic pride. The patriotic kids coloring contest will also be announced during the event. The winning artwork will be displayed on the bandstand. Tabernacle Big Band will begin playing at 8 p.m. and fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. “To have the parade field come alive with patriotic music and fireworks takes you back to the days when the Army Post was here and the Sixth Cavalry band would entertain from the bandstand,” McKeever said. “My favorite part is when the band salutes the military branches of service and the veterans stand to be recognized. This is the perfect event to say ‘thank you’ to our soldiers as we enjoy time with our families and friends.” Modern Woodmen of America is the event sponsor this year. This will be the second time the member-owned fraternal financial services organization has selected Patriotism at The Post as a matching fund project. Admission is free with polo field parking. Donations will be collected from the audience to benefit the Big Band. For more information go to fortotourism.org or call 706-861-2860. Patriotism at The Post When: Wednesday, July 3, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Where: On the polo field on Barnhardt Circle in Fort Oglethorpe