As children chased bubbles and glow lights and parents sipped frozen fruit drinks, growing crowds clustered around the concert stage.
Entertained by three young country music artists on July 3 at McGlachlin Parade Field and the Jazz Ambassadors at nearby Constitution Park, residents, employees and visitors relaxed on lawn chairs and blankets, swaying and clapping as the music played into the night.
"They're great," said JoAnn Johnston, a nurse from Abingdon. "They really engage you."
The concerts also provided a backdrop for the array of activities that transformed Fort Meade's Independence Day observance -- the Red, White and Blue Celebration -- into an all-American festival of barbecue, Budweiser, country music, jazz, race cars and fireworks.
"It's all fun," said Joe Halye of Pasadena, who came with his wife, Krista, of the National Security Agency, and their three young children.
The six-hour event drew more than 10,000 people -- all undeterred by the early celebration.
"We're having a wonderful time," said Naomi Dilworth, who accompanied her husband, retired Col. Ernest Dilworth, to hear the big band sounds of the U.S. Army Field Band's Jazz Ambassadors.
The couple, who lived on Fort Meade before moving to Hanover several years ago, return annually for the Fourth of July.
"We come back to celebrate and for the good food," Ernest Dilworth said. "And it's nice to see a lot of people we know."
Because of budget cutbacks, many installations were forced to cancel their events and fireworks displays. But thanks to the sponsorship of Anheuser-Busch, Fort Meade was able to maintain its long-standing tradition of celebrating with the community residing on and off post.
The free celebration featured country music singers Chelsea Bain, Brett Eldredge and Jerrod Niemann; a procession of Clydesdale horses; a barbecue cook-off; Budweiser beer stations; and two NASCAR simulators.
The event was topped off by a fireworks display that lasted more than 30 minutes.
Popular attractions ranged from children's inflatable slides and bounce houses to wooden cornhole games and food vendors.
Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein welcomed everyone from a concert stage where DJ Michael J of WPOC radio station served as emcee. The radio station was the event's radio partner.
In a nod to the event's sponsor, Rothstein held up a tall can of Budweiser.
"I've always wanted to say this: 'This Bud's for you, Team Meade,' " he said to cheers.
Rothstein thanked the radio crew, Budweiser and "the entire team [the inner Fort Meade community and outside partners] for making this happen.
"This community is unbelievable," Rothstein said. "We're doing this with music, with barbecue, with fireworks, with NASCAR. We got the Jazz Ambassadors playing. This is an awesome time, and we are able to do this is because of community."
Rothstein and his wife, Audrey, later sat alongside the costumed drivers of the Anheuser-Busch beer wagon that was pulled by a team of eight Clydesdales.
Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas J. Latter and his wife, Terri, sat on the red wagon's crates beside the Clydesdales' mascot, a Dalmatian.
As the Clydesdales trotted along the parade field, the Rothsteins and Latters waved to the gathering crowds that gawked at the ornately decorated horses and the long white hairs covering their hooves.
When the wagon came to a halt, long lines formed for photos beside the Clydesdales that sported flowers braided into their mane and bows on each tail.
"They're absolutely gorgeous," said Pauline Burnopp of Pasadena who operates a nursery outside Andrews Air Force Base. "They're American icons we've seen on TV our entire lives. Think of Budweiser and Clydesdales -- and that's the picture you get."
Nearby, 10 active-duty service members competed in the Budweiser barbecue cook-off along English Avenue.
"Barbecue is a staple in Budweiser American tradition," said Carly Blake of Mosaic marketing for Budweiser.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Hernandez, an instructor at the Defense Information School, took first place. He won a pair of tickets to the Live Nation Budweiser Made in America Music Festival in Philadelphia.
"I tried jalapeño in the barbecue sauce and a mango jalapeño jam on the brats," Hernandez said. "It was different and helped it to stick out."
Sgt. 1st Class Alan Wolfer of U.S. Army Signals School Detachment placed second.
Budweiser supplied each contestant with a grill station they could keep -- awning, Weber charcoal grill, cooler with built-in radio, grilling tools and ingredients.
Competitors had one hour to prepare four servings of brats and baby back ribs for the panel of four judges. One requirement was to incorporate Budweiser as a main ingredient, said Blake.
"Budweiser formulated the requirements," she said. "They came up with an extensive list of ingredients."
Judges were Howard Mountain of the Freedom Inn Dining Facility; Dana and Robert Sitnick, master judges for the Kansas City Barbecue Society, and Gary Droen, brewmaster for Anheuser-Busch in Virginia.
As contestants presented their dishes, each explained how the food was prepared.
Wolfer grilled bratwurst topped with homemade sauerkraut on a Hawaiian sweet roll served alongside smoked bacon. He grilled the ribs with a mustard-base barbecue sauce.
"My wife, Diana, thought I was good enough and she entered for me," the Meuse Forest resident said. "This is a secret recipe, 13 years in the making.
"I think I have an excellent shot [at winning]. I don't know what the prize is. I don't care what the prize is. Bragging rights? That's enough for me."
As each dish was presented, the judges savored each bite then recorded their reviews.
"Normally, I take one to two bites," Robert Sitnick said of one entry. "But this is one of those times I can eat the whole thing."
Judges cleansed their palate with crackers and water.
"It's going great," said Mountain, dressed in his white chef's jacket. "But I'm getting kind of full. The food is excellent."
At the opposite side of the parade field, Senior Airman Justin Burley of the 34th Intelligence Squadron stood on line with his brother-in-law, Blake Payne of Dallas, for a strawberry smoothie for his wife, Amanda.
All are fans of country music.
"My wife and I came last year," Burley said. "We like coming out with everybody. But this year is better because of all the country bands. Brett was awesome."
As darkness fell, Niemann continued to perform as the fireworks lit the sky at 9:30 p.m. The first explosion of sound and color brought screams and whoops.
As displays grew progressively larger with cascading patterns embedded in patterns, crowds responded with cheers and applause.
"Ooh-la-la," said 7-year-old Arianna Freeman.
The youngster attended with her parents, Gene and Gabby Freeman, and three siblings.
"It was fantastic," said Gene Freeman, IT specialist for U.S. Army Claims Service. "I liked the finale. I was waiting for it and I wasn't disappointed. It was awesome."
Daughter Kimberly agreed.
"Amazing," the 7-year-old said as the colors splashed across the sky.
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