Fort Campbell’s “Holiday Wonderland” will feature the annual tree lighting, an inaugural parade, and so much more — bringing the Christmas holiday to life for the Screaming Eagles this weekend.
Beginning around 4:30 PM Friday, December 6, Campbell Crossing will host a parade starting on Michigan Avenue — near Town Center and the Wilson Theater parking lot — and ending at the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Campbell Headquarters building on T-39 Indiana Avenue.
This is where, of course, the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will be, one hosted by Fort Campbell’s Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
Specifically, this brand-new parade route will run from Michigan Avenue, take a left on Indiana Avenue, veer right on 29th Street, then left on Kentucky Avenue, before making a final left on Screaming Eagle Boulevard and ending at that grassy area in front of T-39.
The tree lighting ceremony will feature music performances from the 101st Airborne Division Band, as well as the Child and Youth Services Choir — before the arrival of Santa Claus.
The “Holiday Wonderland” actually gets started at 3 PM Friday, December 6, with a Holiday Market, and other fun activities, planned at the R.F. Sink Library parking lot on 38 Screaming Eagle Boulevard. Featuring local artisans and food trucks, this market will be open until 8 PM. Also here, Santa’s Workshop will offer arts, crafts and photos with the man himself beginning at 6 PM.
Then, on Saturday, December 7, the “Holiday Wonderland” activities continue with the Jingle Bell Jog at R.F. Sink Library, as well as the “Trees for Troops” at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Parade Field.
This is the 20th Anniversary of “Trees for Troops.” When it was launched in 2005, Fort Campbell was but one of five installations receiving trees. This year, more than 90 installations will hand out the common decoration to families.
In Fort Campbell, trees will be doled out between noon and 4 PM, with trees available to junior enlisted service members and their families from noon until 2 PM, and for all active duty military from 2-4 PM, or until all trees have been picked.
ID Cards will be checked, and individuals are asked to bring blankets or padding to protect their vehicle.
“Trees for Troops” specifically brings together FedEx, the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation and tree farmers across America to deliver real Christmas trees to service members stationed across the U.S. and overseas. And since the “Trees for Troops” program launched in 2005, FedEx has shipped more than 300,000 real Christmas trees to service members and their families.
