An official army family and MWR Site

Salute to the Troops 2023

Our Garrison is pleased to invite you and your family to Salute to the Troops on May 20, 2023 at Headquarters Field. The event is open to the community and features a carnival full of fun rides, fireworks, delicious food vendors, a salute to the nation, and static displays with live performances by Runaway June, Blanco Brown, Vince Vance and the Valiants, John Christenson Davis, and DJ Black Rhino.

Gates open at 12 PM!

  • Runaway June

    Runaway June

  • Blanco Brown

    Blanco Brown

  • Vince Vance and the Valiants

    Vince Vance and the Valiants

  • John Christenson Davis

    John Christenson Davis

  •  DJ Black Rhino

    DJ Black Rhino

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Artist Biographies

Runaway June

Finall 2022 copy RJ.jpg

A country trio with a bright, upbeat sound and skillful harmonies, Runaway June fuse a polished pop sound with the rootsy accents of contemporary country. The trio consists of Naomi Cooke on lead vocals and guitar, Hannah Mulholland on mandolin and vocals, and Jennifer Wayne on guitar and vocals. Their songs put a progressive spin on the tried-and-true themes of family, romance, and living it up on Saturday night, and the acoustic guitars, mandolins, and fiddles that decorate their arrangements help them keep one foot in Nashville traditions. The group scored their first hit with the 2018 single "Buy My Own Drinks," while 2019's Blue Roses was their well-regarded debut album, and the 2021 EP Backstory helped fans get to know the trio's revised lineup.

Blanco Brown

 

Blanco Brown Main Image.jpeg

Blurring the lines between Country and Hip-Hop music, Blanco Brown makes a southern sound that he proudly calls “TrailerTrap.” Honing in on his unique sound, Blanco balances both the urban and rural settings in which he grew up. His viral hit “The Git Up” (certified 11x PLATINUM across three countries) took the world by storm, claiming the top spot in charts across the globe and spawning nearly four billion views across social platforms. It claimed the No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for 12 weeks and was the top-selling digital Country song in the US for 13 weeks, resulting in Billboard naming him as their No. 1 Top New Country Artist for 2019. Apart from being a Grammy-nominated engineer who has worked with the likes of Fergie, Childish Gambino, Kane Brown and Chris Brown, the multi-talent’s multi-national Platinum-certified collaboration “Just the Way” with Parmalee garnered more than 500 million on-demand streams, earning Brown his first No. 1 hit on Country radio (in the US and Canada).

Vince Vance and the Valiants

Vince Vance.jpg

For almost four decades, Vince Vance and the Valiants, in its many recreations and incarnations, have performed at the Grand Ole Opry, Superdome, Rock N’ Bowl, Endymion Ball and Krewe of Halloween, to name just a few. I caught up with Vance after they performed at the Greater Baton Rouge State Fair. The band’s presentation is music, theater and performance art – all at the same time.

Vance is a noted composer. In fact, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the release of “All I Want for Christmas is You.” It has been covered by several singers, including Shania Twain and LeAnn Rimes. It charted in Billboard, and CMT named it as one of its “Merriest Christmas Videos.”

Cost

Free 

Program
MWR Special Events
Schedule of Events

1200 - Gates open with Food Venders, Carnival Rides, Static displays, HBBs and Sponsors through the whole day

1500 - Live Music stars with DJ Black Rhino

1600 - Vince Vance and the Valiants takes the stage 

1715 - National Anthem and Opening Remarks 

1730 - John Christenson Davis takes the stage 

1830 - Blanco Brown takes the stage 

2000 - Salute to the Troops Ceremony 

2030 - Runaway June Performs

2200 - Fireworks

Health, Safety & Security Guidelines

• Personal belongings are subject to search at the event entry point. No backpacks.
• Coolers and similar containers are NOT allowed. Only small insulated coolers for infant formula, water and diaper bags will be allowed.
• Outside food and drink are not permitted inside the gates. Refreshments and food are available for purchase.
• Alcoholic beverages are served only to patrons 21+ and displaying alcohol wristband. Receive wristband at designated area. 
• No weapons are permitted. (Includes small knives, leatherman tools, etc.)
• No cannabis or recreational drugs are permitted.
• No pets (except service animals), glass, fireworks, or Frisbees.
• Unruly behavior will not be tolerated.
• Military Police will staff the event to maintain safety and security.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can attend Salute to the Troops?

This event is free and open to the general public.

Are tickets required to attend?

No, there is no ticketing or reservation system for the event.

How can I obtain a visitor's pass for Salute to the Troops, if I am not a DoD ID or CAC Cardholder? 

Use the following link to register for your visitor's pass. If your pass has been authorized you may pick them up at the Visitor Control Center located on Entrance Rd

https://visit.gvt.us/?b=usa&i=fort_polk&e=6Z7MFPZ9

Passes can still be acquired by visiting VCC during normal hours of operations. Any other questions regarding installation access can be answered by the Visitor Control Center at (337) 531-0380

Will there be a shuttle buses/ parking areas for those on the installation?

There will be four parking areas on the installation where you can also catch a shuttle, free of charge. 

  1. MTC (intersection of Mississippi and Chaffee)
  2. Former Commissary and PX 
  3. Commissary
  4. Education Center

ACP Hours of Operations

ACP 5 (Post Office Gate): 9 AM to Venue Close 

ACP 2 (Parkway Elementary Gate): exit only 7 PM to Venue Close

Are they going to be any 4th of July events?

This is our 4th of July celebration. We schedule this event around block leave dates, that way our Soldiers and families can enjoy both Salute to the Troops and block leave. 

Will there be food and beverages for purchase? 

We will have plenty of food vendors and beverages including water will be at Salute to the Troops. Outside food or drink will not be permitted inside the gates. Only small insulated coolers for infant formula, water and diaper bags will be allowed. If you or anyone you know if interested, please email here

What are we allowed to bring?

Blankets, lawn chairs, cash (ATM's will be on-site), sunscreen, strollers, and small insulated coolers for infant formula, water and diaper bags ONLY

Items PROHIBITED to bring are:

  • Pets
  • Tents
  • Canopies
  • Coolers
  • Outside food or beverages
  • Alcohol 
  • Glass bottles
  • Weapons
  • Video Cameras
  • Backpacks or large bags
  • Professional cameras with telephoto lenses
  • Personal Fireworks
  • Recreational drugs or cannabis items

Personal items entering event site are subject to search at anytime. 

Can we bring pets?

No. For safety and sanitation reasons, please leave your pets at home. Service dogs are permitted.

Will MWR Facilities close during Salute to the Troops?

The only facilities that will remain open are:

  • Cantrell Fitness Center- 0000-1200
  • 50M Pool- Closing at 6 PM
  • Toledo Bend- Normal Hours of Operations 

Closed Facilities include:

Alligator Lake, Auto Skills Center, Arts and Crafts, Anvil Bar, Bowling Center, Klubs and Karts, Home of Heroes Function Fitness Center, Warrior Fitness Center, 25M Pool, Library, Warrior Hills Golf Course, Middle School Teen Center, Rec Shooting Range 23A, Play Town & Cafe and Home of Heroes Recreation Center. 

Check back for further information as date gets closer. Any other questions can be sent to MWR

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