RIA opens to public for Armed Forces Day celebration

Quad Citians are invited to a two-day Armed Forces Day Celebration taking place Friday and Saturday, May 16-17, at the Rock Island Arsenal.

Visitor’s passes will not be required, but all visitors must be at least 18 years old and present a valid photo ID for access to the U.S. Army installation during the celebration.

The festivities will include live music, food trucks, vendors, military displays, a car show, live wrestling, fireworks, and the annual Run the Rock 5K/10K and America’s Kids Run. To register for the Run the Rock 5K/10K,  America’s Kids Run and to sign up for volunteer opportunities, visit http://getmeregistered.com/RIARunTheRock.

All of this year’s activities will be held in the vicinity of Rock Island Arsenal Island’s Historic Quarters One next to the Mississippi River on Gillespie Drive. Signs for parking will be posted along the routes. Packet pick-up for Run the Rock events will be from 3-7 p.m. Friday and again at 6:30 a.m. Saturday.

The schedule includes:

• Friday, May 16: Noon to 4 p.m. Angela Meyer (solo acoustic music); 3-7 p.m. All-in-1 Fun Amusement open; 4 p.m. Armed Forces Day opening and keg tapping ceremony; 4-7 p.m. Trolley Pub Arsenal Tours; 4:30 p.m. Honor Among Wrestling show; 5:30 p.m. U.S. Army 250th Birthday Proclamation signing by local elected officials; 6 p.m. America’s Kids Run; 6:30 p.m. Hawaii of the Mississippi Luau event; 7:30 p.m. Matt Fuller Band performs; 10 p.m. closure.

• Saturday, May 17: 8:45 a.m. run the Rock 5k and 10K ceremonies and run; 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. QC Cruisers Auto Show; 9:45 a.m. 5K Run the Rock awards, 10:05 a.m. 10K Run the Rock awards; 11 a.m. All-in-1 Fun Amusement open (bungee trampoline, rock wall, bounce houses; noon to 7 p.m. Trolley Pub Arsenal Tours; Noon Angela Meyer; 1 p.m. QC Symphony Brass Quintet; 2:30–6:30 p.m. balloon twister/bubble station; 3 p.m. Honor Among Wrestling; 5 p.m. Moonshine Run performs; 9:25 p.m. fireworks, 10 p.m. closure.

The costs for carnival rides, games, food, etc., will be at the patron’s personal expense; entry to the installation will be at no cost. An ATM is available at Memorial Park on Rodman Avenue throughout the activities.