Celebrate Armed Forces Day at the Rock Island Arsenal

Sharon Wren
·2 min read
Celebrate Armed Forces Day at the Rock Island Arsenal

The Rock Island Arsenal is celebrating the military at their annual Armed Forces Day Celebration on May 16-19 at the Arsenal. Visitors’ passes will not be necessary that day but all visitors 18+ must present a valid picture ID for access to the base. A full carnival, live music, food trucks, vendors, military displays, car show, a live wrestling show, fireworks and the annual Run the Rock 5K/10K and America’s Kids Run will make a full day of fun for everyone. Click here to sign up for the races or register as a volunteer.

Admission to the installation is free but there are fees for carnival rides, games and food. There is an ATM at Memorial Park that will be available throughout the activities.

The fun starts on Thursday, May 16 with the carnival open from 4 – 10 p.m. only for those who live and work on post.

The Armed Forces Day opening and keg tapping ceremony will be on Friday, May 17 at 4 p.m. Packet pickup for the races is from 4-6 p.m. The carnival runs from 4 – 10 p.m.

Races start a full day of excitement on Saturday, May 18.

  • 8:45 a.m. America’s Kids Run kickoff and run events,

  • 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. QC Cruisers Auto Show,

  • 9:30 a.m. Run the Rock 5K/10K opening remarks, ceremonial opening,

  • 10 a.m. race begins,

  • 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Carnival festivities,

  • 10:45 a.m. 5K Run the Rock awards,

  • 11:05 a.m. 10K Run the Rock awards,

  • 1 p.m. Superfly Samurai performs,

  • 2 p.m. Honor Among Wrestling,

  • 5:30 p.m. Moonshine Run performs,

  • 9:25 p.m. fireworks.

On Sunday, May 19 the carnival will be open from 12 – 4 p.m. and Honor Among Wrestling takes place at 1 p.m.

These items are prohibited on the installation to provide a safe environment for everyone attending this event:

  • firearms,

  • knives,

  • weapons of any kind,

  • illegal substances,

  • clothing with obscene or offensive language.

Pets, other than service animals, are discouraged. Click here for more details on prohibited items on federal property.

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