- Event Map
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- Event Schedule
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Main Stage (located in the Panzer Main Parking Lot)
- 3 p.m. — Event begins
- 3:15 p.m. — Welcome & National Anthems
- 3:30 p.m. — DJ entertainment & Announcements
- 5:30 p.m. — Pie Eating Contest
- 6:30 p.m. — Watermelon Eating Contest (Youth)
- 7 p.m. — Watermelon Eating Contest (Adults)
- 7:45 p.m. — DJ entertainment & Announcements
- 8 p.m. — Garrison Remarks
- 8:15 p.m. — Trauma Bond Performance
MWR Stage (located in the MWR Special Event Grounds, between Bldg. 2915-2918)
- 3 p.m. — DJ entertainment & Announcements
- 6 p.m. — Magic show with Tom Bolton
- 6:30 p.m. — DJ entertainment & Announcements
Arm Wrestling (located at the Sports & Fitness tent near the main entrance)
- 3-5 p.m. — Registration
- 5 p.m. — Competition begins
Fireworks
- 10:30 p.m. — Fireworks Show
Schedule is subject to change.
- Fireworks
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🎇 Get ready for a spectacular fireworks show starting at approximately 10:30 p.m. The fireworks will illuminate the night sky, synchronized with enjoyable patriotic music. It's a moment you won't want to miss!
- Food & Beverages
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🍔🌭 Enjoy various food and drink options from a wide selection of food trucks, caterers and food tents offering diverse cuisines, including:
MWR Tent or "American Beer Sales" Booth
** 4TH OF JULY **
“MAIN STREET” MENU
LET’S EAT
- 100% Angus Beef ½-lb. Burger €/$ 7.00
- Juicy, flame-grilled perfection
- + Add Slice of American Cheese € / $ 1.00
- 6” Jumbo Hot Dog €/$ 6.00
- Premium all-beef with kosher quality
DELICIOUS SIDES
- Bush’s Best Original Baked Beans € / $ 3.00
- American-Style Coleslaw € / $ 3.00
- Bag of Chips € / $ 2.00
COLD DRINKS
- Beer € / $ 4.00
- Soda € / $ 2.00
- Water € / $ 2.00
Note: ½ - lb. burger precooked weight.
Food Trucks/Stands:
- American Food
- Spudz
- Hilly Billy Corndog
- Bubble Waffeln
- Ambient Africa
- Thio's Inn
- Ali Doner
- Bella Swing
- German American Kantine
- ShaWINGz
- Beer and Beverage Stands
🥤🍻 Stay refreshed with non-alcoholic beverages and German & American beer available at four drink stations.
- 100% Angus Beef ½-lb. Burger €/$ 7.00
- Free Activities
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- Military Vehicle Display
- Performances
- Art & Crafts Activities
- Wristband Activities
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🎪 Fun for All Ages!
Purchase an Activity Wristband to enjoy a variety of fun premium activities for:
- Adults
- Youth
- and Kids
Activity Wristbands are optional and can be purchased for $10 USD/Euro at the "American Beer Sales" Booth at the event.
Kids aged 4 and under are free. All individuals aged 5 or older need a wristband for premium activities.
💲 Presale Offer
- Buy 3 Wristbands, Get 1 Free! $30 for 4 wristbands available for DOD ID cardholders on base only.
- Buy 1 Wristband for $10 and skip the line at the event.
- Available Jun. 9 - Jul. 2 (TBD) at:
Premium Activities include:
- ADAC Jump house and Simulators
- Arm Wrestling
- Auto Scooter
- Football Throw
- Soccer Kick
- Inflatable Bounce Houses
- Moon Bounce
- Princess House
- Prince House
- Pirate Land
- Soccer House
- Jungle Zip-it
- Zip-it Obstacle Course
- Bungee Trampoline
- Trampoline
- Rock Climbing
- Ninja Arena
- Surf Simulator
- Air Jump
- Bull Riding
- Carnival Games
- CYS Kids Zone
- Power Paddle
- Goldmining
- Carousel
- Zwillingsrutsche
- Wasserbaustelle
- Circus Playground
- BOSS - Car Smash Activity
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🚘🔨Smash Stress. Shatter Steel. Wreck it at the Car Smash Zone!
Unleash your inner beast as you wreck it like you mean it! Better Opportunity for Single Servicemembers (BOSS) is having a little stress relief corner for you during the event hours. Come out, relieve your stress, and engage with our BOSS representatives.
- Age limit: 18+
- Cost: $5/€5 per 2 minutes
- Headliner - Live On Stage: Trauma Bond
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🎸 Keep on rockin' the night away with a special live performance by Trauma Bond!
Trauma Bond - Bio
Trauma Bond is what happens when you throw a bunch of American military musicians and one German musical theater actress/ballet teacher into a rehearsal room and say "Make some noise." Formed just over a year ago, this international cover band mash-up has been defying genres, expectations, and probably a few noise ordinances ever since.
Covering everything from 2000s pop punk to thunderous German metal to those guilty pleasure pop songs you pretend not to know the words to, Trauma Bond adds their own alternative twist to every song - because why play it safe when you can play it loud, weird, and awesome?!
On bass is Stephan "Scriv" Scrivner, a Service Member from the USAG Stuttgart Community since 2021. Scriv has been shredding the bass and guitar since his childhood and loves performing as part of a band. Scriv's passion for metal music can be heard in some songs bringing a new and unique listening experience to popular songs. But don't let the metal band t-shirt fool you, Scriv isn't afraid to surprise the crowd and show a little comedy relief.
If one bass is good, two is obviously better. Holding down the groove and probably your WiFi signal is Bryan on the second bass guitar who is also a Service Member from the USAG Stuttgart Community. In addition to playing bass, he also moonlights as the band's sound technician. When he's not on the stage with the band, he's usually the one running around with a tablet finding a way to make everything balanced and louder!
Ripping the strings of the guitar like it owes him money is Nick, also a Service Member of the USAG Stuttgart community. Nick has played in bands for the majority of his life and like the other members of the band, truly loves performing. What most don't see backstage and in between performances is Nick at the head of this committee of chaos, trying his best to keep them all on track with an astounding 20% success rate.
Laying down the law and beat on drums is Nile, also a Service Member from the USAG Stuttgart community. After a long break, Nile rediscovered his love of music two years ago and found a new passion for performing in a band for anyone who'll listen. Nile will look for any opportunity to play a heavy beat as loud and as fast as the band will allow him and maybe a little more, his saying is "Louder and faster!".
Part rock front woman, part theater queen, part ballet teacher, and all power is Kitty leading the charge on vocals. A proud native of Germany and member of the USAG Stuttgart Community, Kitty has been in the performing arts her entire life but kicks off her ballet shoes for her black leather boots, to bring a powerful voice and presence to the band together. While Nick keeps everyone on task behind the scenes, there's no question that Kitty does it on stage.
Together, they are known as Trauma Bond. Their name isn't just a clever nod to psychology -it's what happens when you survive band practice together, especially with this lineup. Whether you catch them in a club, at an event on USAG Stuttgart, or crashing your cousin's wedding, one thing is for sure: you'll laugh, you'll rock out, and you'll probably wake up the next day humming a metal version of Brittany Spears. - Holiday Hours & Closures
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In observance of Independence Day, please be aware of closures or adjusted hours for our garrison facilities on Friday, July 4th.
- Arm Wrestling Tournament
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💪 Who's got the strongest arm in town? Prove it at the Arm-Wrestling Tournament! Join MWR Sports & Fitness Team for the ultimate Arm-Wrestling battle and be the Top 3 male & female winners to win the awards!
- Age limit: 18+
- Time and Location
- Sign-ups for Tournament from 3 to 5 p.m. near the main entrance behind the MWR Info Booth.
- Tournament begins at 5 p.m.
- Pie & Watermelon Eating Contests
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🍉 Pie & Watermelon Eating Contests
Think you can eat a pie faster than the rest in USAG Stuttgart? Step up to the stage at our Pie & Watermelon Eating Contests!
- Time and Location
- Pie Eating Contest at TBD at the Main Stage.
- Watermelon Eating Contest at TBD at the Main Stage.
Eating Contest Registration & Rules
✅ Registration
- Free and open to anyone to participate (U.S. or Local National) for either contest.
- Participating age limits:
- Kids (ages 6-13)
- Adults (age 14+)
- Parents and/or guardians need to sign off for participants 17 and younger.
- Participants must sign up at least 30 minutes prior to contest at the Main Stage.
- Deadline is 5 p.m. for Apple Pie Eating Contest.
- Deadline is 6 p.m. (Youth) and 6:30 p.m. (Adults) for the Watermelon Eating Contest.
✅ Rules
- Participants cannot use their hands during apple pie contest; hands must be behind the back.
- Hands are allowed for the watermelon contest.
- Participants will be standing.
- Watermelon must be eaten to the rind.
- Pie & Crust must be finished for pies.
- Winner determined by who eats the provided food the fastest!
- Time and Location
- Pop-Up Tent Areas
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🎪 Pop-up Tent Areas are allowed within the designated areas only:
- Main Stage just behind the Dance Area.
or
- MWR Special Event Grounds behind Building 2915 on the Grass Field.
Find the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the festivities.
- Road & Parking Closures
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- Herdweg will be closed past the Panzer main gate.
- The Panzer Housing main gate will be open to pedestrians only. The Panzer Housing back gate on Waldburgstrasse will be open for vehicles.
- The Panzer Commissary gate will be open for DoD/DBIDS ID cardholders (parking is not expected to be available).
- 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.: INBOUND ONLY
- 9 p.m. - event end: OUTBOUND ONLY
- Schedule may be subject to change.
- People conducting business at the Main Exchange on Monday, July 3, should expect less parking than normal, due to a majority of the parking lot being closed.
- No parking will be available in the Panzer Main Parking Lot by the Main Exchange on July 4.
- Herdweg will be closed past the Panzer main gate.
- Rules & Event Guidelines
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🚧 Safety is a top priority. Security measures will be in place, such as bag checks, enhanced security personnel, and emergency protocols. Please ensure you have a form of identification when you enter the event at the main entrance.
All attendees should report any suspicious activity or concerns to event staff or security personnel immediately.
To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees, please adhere to the following guidelines:
- The fest grounds will be considered off post. This means to leave the designated area for 4th of July celebrations and continue further onto the post, all Patrons must present a DOD ID at the security checkpoints.
- Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: fireworks, weapons, drones, or BBQs/cooking units, bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, and scooters are not allowed.
- Service animals are always welcome, but please note that pets or other animals are not permitted.
- Be prepared: remember to bring sunscreen, water, pop-up tents, hats, and other comfort and safety measures to ensure an enjoyable experience.
- Coolers, chairs, and pop-up tents are allowed within designated areas.
- Guests must follow all instructions and announcements made by event staff for the safety and enjoyment of everyone.
- Respect the environment and dispose of trash and recyclables in the designated bins provided throughout the event area.
- Use designated walkways and paths when moving between different areas to ensure pedestrian safety.
- No unauthorized solicitation or commercial activity is permitted.
- Attendees are responsible for the safety and supervision of their children at all times.
- Lost and found items should be reported to event staff or turned in at the designated lost and found area.
- Be mindful of your personal belongings and valuables. The event organizers are not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
- Guests must comply with any additional security measures or screenings implemented for the safety and security of all attendees.
- Any violations of event rules or disruptive behavior may result in removal from the premises.
- Transportation & Duty Bus
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We encourage the use of public transportation and duty buses as there will be limited to no 4th of July event parking available on Panzer Kaserne.
Duty buses will follow the standard Weekend/U.S. Holiday schedule until 3 p.m., at which point they will begin making ongoing direct trips between Panzer and each of the other residential installations (Kelley, Patch, Robinson) without a specific schedule. Buses will be available to take ID cardholders back to the other installations following the fireworks.
Duty Bus Schedule on July 4th, 2025
Duty Bus Stop Location on Panzer Kaserne on July 4th, 2025
Anyone without a DOD-ID, including Americans without installation access and local nationals, are asked to use public transit, walk, bicycle, or get dropped off by a friend/taxi. Bicycles are not allowed in the event and leaving them outside of the installation is at your own risk.
The closest S-Bahn station to Panzer Kaserne is the Goldberg station. However, the Böblingen station often has more frequent connections toward Panzer Kaserne. There is a bus stop directly in front of the main gate called Panzerkaserne and two nearby in Böblingen called Waldorfschule and Eichendorf-Schule. These are serviced by the 723, 725, and 734 on different schedules. Confirm with your mapping app of choice or use the VVS or Deutsche Bahn apps for schedules.
- Visitor Sign-In
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Visitor sign-in will be suspended at Panzer Kaserne effective noon (12 p.m.) on July 4.
Visitor sign-in is NOT required for Local Nationals or Non-DoD ID card holders entering the event area starting at 3 p.m. on July 4 on Panzer Kaserne.
DoD ID cards must be shown to access parts of Panzer Kaserne outside of the event area, such as the Bowling Center, chapel, and shuttle drop off/pickup point. Please remember to have your ID card on you.
- What If? Inclement Weather
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🌦️ The event will take place rain or shine. However, in the case of severe weather conditions, event closure may occur.
Stay updated through our social media platforms (Facebook) and website for any announcements or guidance leading up to the event.
Event staff can assist in case of any changes at the event.
🎉 Join us for the USAG Stuttgart 4th of July Independence Day Celebration! 🎉
Welcome! Everyone’s invited! Herzlich Willkommen! Alle sind eingeladen!
Join us starting 3 p.m. as we welcome the USAG Stuttgart community and our local national friends and neighbors to the biggest American celebration of the year.
Celebrate freedom, unity, and fun at our 4th of July Independence Day Celebration—a high-energy event filled with American spirit and community pride. It’s a day to come together, make memories, and honor the values we share.
Enjoy live entertainment throughout the day from two separate stages to include a magic show, DJs, and the punk rock headliner, USAG Stuttgart's own, Trauma Bond!
Families, get ready! The CYS Kids Zone is packed with playful adventures for all ages. Tap into your artistic side with Arts & Crafts activities for kids and adults alike.
For those looking for a challenge, check out the "BOSS" Car Smash, Ninja Games, Carnival Games, Bungee Trampolines, and Rock-Climbing Wall—excitement awaits around every corner.
Satisfy your cravings with mouthwatering food & beverages from our diverse food truck lineup. Feeling bold? Step up for our Eating Contests—they’re messy, wild, and tons of fun to watch!
Event is sponsored by
No federal endorsement implied
Don’t miss the grand finale around 10:30 p.m.! The spectacular fireworks display will light up the night sky and leave you in awe—an unforgettable highlight of our celebration.
This is more than just an event—it’s a chance to connect, celebrate the moment, and create lasting memories with friends, family, and community.
Keep an eye on this page and our Facebook for the latest updates—we’ll see you there!
Current as of July 2, 2025. Event details are subject to change.
Contact Information ☎️
For further inquiries or more information, updates, and event details, please reach out to us via email or through our social media channels (Facebook & Instagram).
We look forward to celebrating with you!