Tag Archives: Community events

Soldiers Home July 4th Draws Thousands For Music, Fun and Fireworks

28 Saturday Jul 2018

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More than 2,600 people came to the green open space of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington for a gala July 4th celebration. The seventh annual gathering hosted by Friends of the Soldiers Home featured entertainment by the Hortonville, Wisconsin marching band and two Soldiers Home residents, DJ Billy White and singer/guitarist Waymon Lucas Jr. There was facepainting, a bounce house and pond fishing for kids, who mostly enjoyed running amok on the green expanse of the Home’s grounds. There were many food and drink choices, and of course the highlight was viewing fireworks from the National Mall and the neighborhoods surrounding the Soldiers Home. We can’t wait for July 4, 2019!

Photos courtesy of Betsy Eves, Lauren Kessler, Mike Madden and Drew Schneider.

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Your July 4th Event Guide

03 Tuesday Jul 2018

Posted by in Community Events, Holidays, Volunteering

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Armed Forces Retirement Home-DC, July 4, 4pm-9:30pm

Sponsors: Anheuser Busch, DCCX

Location: Enter Armed Forces Retirement Home at Randolph Road and Rock Creek Church Road in Washington, D.C. For navigation, use 340 Rock Creek Church Road N.W., Washington, D.C.

Performance Times:
4pm: Waymon Lucas Jr. aka Kool (Guitar Hand) Luke
5pm: DJ Billy White aka The Music Man
7:30pm: Hortonville, Wis., High School Marching Band
9:09pm: National Mall Fireworks

Attractions:
4pm-8:30pm: bounce house, corn hole, tug o’ war, ring toss, water games
4pm-6:30pm: facepainting
4pm-7pm: catch-and-release pond fishing (bring your own bait, gear)
6pm: patriotic bike decoration contest judging

Food/Drink: Rosie’s Pizza & Subs, Ooo Dat Chicken, Quick Bite, Hardy’s BBQ, Dog Tag Bakery, Captain Cookie, Sly’s Sucker Punch, Anheuser Busch
Weather: Partly cloudy, 86 degrees

Cost: Free if you walk or bike in. Friends of the Soldiers Home requests a $10 donation per carload for drivers

Volunteer: To volunteer for part of the event: http://signup.com/go/KrxYHUy

Pets: Sorry, you must leave pets at home

A Very Special Thanks to the staff and residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home for making this event possible, and to the Capital Chapter of the Nam Knights of America for volunteer support

Friends of the Soldiers Home Builds Community at 2018 Spring Fling

15 Tuesday May 2018

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The sixth annual Spring Fling brought 500 people to the Armed Forces Retirement Home-Washington campus on Saturday, May 5, for food, games, music and fun. A large number of Soldiers Home residents mingled with numerous families from the community in this annual ritual that kicks off the warm-weather season at the Home. Rainy weather didn’t dampen spirits, as attendees moved beneath the big tent when the weather worsened and listened to the rocking blues of Nobody’s Business. We are grateful to all the volunteers who helped with this event, and we thank the residents and staff of the Soldiers Home for once again opening the gates to the community. We can’t wait until next time!

Photos courtesy of Lauri Hafvenstein.

Your guide for enjoying Friends of the Soldiers Home Spring Fling this Saturday, May 5, noon to 5pm!

02 Wednesday May 2018

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Sponsors: Anheuser Busch, CollEDGEucation, DCCX, Music Celebrations

Location: Enter Armed Forces Retirement Home at Randolph Road and Rock Creek Church Road in Washington, D.C. For navigation, use 340 Rock Creek Church Road N.W., Washington, D.C.

Performance Times:
12:30-1:30: Julia Kasdorf
2-5: Nobody’s Business

Attractions:
Games: Bounce House, Jumbo Connect Four, Face Painting
Food: Captain Cookie, Ooh Dat Chicken, Quize Quzeen, Dog Tag
Beer: Delightful draft choices courtesy of Anheuser Busch

Weather: High of 77, partly cloudy. Event happens rain or shine, with a big tent to keep you dry!

Cost: Free if you walk or bike in. Friends of the Soldiers Home requests a $10 donation per carload for drivers
Volunteer: If you would like to volunteer for part of the event, go here: http://signup.com/go/TkupVCf

Pets: Please leave them at home

More Than 1,000 People Attend Fall Fun Fest 2017 at Soldiers Home

04 Wednesday Oct 2017

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On a perfect, sunny day at the Armed Forces Retirement Home golf course driving range, more than 1,000 people joined Friends of the Soldiers Home in a gala celebration of music, games and camaraderie at Fall Fun Fest on Oct. 1.

The bluegrass band Fretnauts and classic rock group The Loose Ends entertained visitors and Soldiers Home residents under the big tent, while scores of children roamed the green grass of the driving range and played games. An obstacle course moon bounce proved particularly possible with young ones, as many climbed through the attraction multiple times.

In the early part of the day, on the upper part of the Home’s campus, visitors and residents enjoyed an antique car show, military medical displays and military drill team demonstrations.

Friends of the Soldiers Home would like to thank the staff and residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home for making Fall Fun Fest 2017 possible. In addition, FOSH thanks all the volunteers and is grateful for the financial support from the following: Anheuser-Busch, ANC1A, Annie’s Hardware and CollEDGEucation.

Photos by Lauren Kessler

Fall Fun Fest Is Great Fun as 1,200 Enjoy Music, Food and Games

03 Monday Oct 2016

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ffest7Friends of the Soldiers Home is thrilled that Fall Fun Fest was such a grand time on Sunday, with about 1,200 people enjoying delicious food, wonderful music and the beautiful green expanse of the Armed Forces Retirement Home-Washington. The sunshine marked the first nice day after several with rain and gloom — and people loved it.

We are so happy that many Soldiers Home residents participated in the activities. With a bounce house, inflatable soccer goal, carnival games, storybook readings by Glenna Orr and an activity table by Asian Community Service Center, children had plenty to do as well! Creative Minds Charter School had a pumpkin patch. Alte Kameraden played German music that got everyone in the Oktoberfest mood, and the Accordian Queen of Washington, D.C. roamed through the crowd and delighted everyone. Earlier in the day, activities on the upper campus included an antique car show, drill team demonstration and bourbon-tasting booth.

Thank you to the sponsors who made this event possible — Budweiser, DCCX, Annie’s Hardware and Crossfit Petworth. We couldn’t have done it without you! Nam Knights Capital Chapter were once again invaluable partners — thank you Knights! Thanks also to Petworth News. Above all, we are grateful to the residents and staff of the Armed Forces Retirement Home for opening the campus to this wonderful day of activities.

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Home Residents, Community Enjoy Fall Fun Fest Together on Oct. 5

06 Monday Oct 2014

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Fall Fun Fest was a huge success on Sunday, Oct. 5, with more than 1,400 people enjoying German music, dancing, beer, food, a pumpkin patch, antique cars and much more at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington. Weather was gorgeous for this first annual event, which was an expanded version of the Oktoberfest of 2012. The campus was beautiful, and the friendship of many Home residents who came down to enjoy the day was on display. Friends of the Soldiers Home participated with several organizations in delivering the day’s events. Thanks to all who came out and participated! Enjoy the photos by Linda Lawson.

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