Fort Bragg's Independence Day Celebration Cancelled Due to Budget Cutbacks

--Media Release provided by Fort Bragg Public Affairs Office

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Due to budget issues, Fort Bragg is cancelling its 4^th of July celebration and reducing services in many other areas.

“Our reduced operating budget for the remainder of this year forces many very tough decisions; notably I must cancel our annual Fort Bragg 4^th of July celebration,” said Lt. Gen. Daniel B. Allyn, Commanding General of XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg.  “With overtime pay costs of $120,000, the 4^th of July celebration is unsupportable under these fiscal realities.  With a pending civilian workforce furlough and a 34 percent operational budget cut, we’re prioritizing our services to ensure our readiness and care of service members, civilians and families.” 

This annual event on the Main Post Parade Field attracts more than 50,000 people from throughout southeastern North Carolina, and has been held for more than 30 years.

On a positive note, Installation Management Command, which manages all Army installations, received a Chief of Staff of the Army-directed Department of the Army-level funding increase that will meet most of Fort Bragg’s essential garrison services. The installation leadership is reviewing all priority programs and services at Fort Bragg to ensure these funds are optimized, once received, to reduce the sequestration impact on the installation.

In addition, members of the community are in dialogue with the Airborne and Special Operations Museum’s private foundation to determine options to accept outside donations to help restore normal operating hours to the museum. 

Fort Bragg’s leadership expects to have greater fidelity on these important issues in the near future, and will update the community accordingly.   

The installation leadership continues to adjust programs and services based upon priorities and budget constraints.

Other recent changes include:

• Cancellation of weekend controlled burn operations by forestry management.
• Closure of unprofitable Morale, Welfare, and Recreation facilities: Habanero’s Grill, Runway Bowling Lanes, the woodworking shop, and beginning April 27, Cleland Ice Rink.
• Reduced limited visibility lighting at all athletic fields, except during PT hours (6 am to 8 am) at the following locations; Ritz-Epps fields 1-4, Pope fields 1 and 2; Bowley field; Pope Track, and Hedrick and Towle stadiums. 
• Cancellation of mowing and landscaping contracts, except to preserve safe airfield conditions.
• Cancellation of cable TV contracts in MWR fitness centers.
• Cessation of Linden Oaks to Main Post shuttle.

“While we expect to face additional tough fiscal decisions in the weeks ahead, we will continue to train our force to sustain our individual and unit readiness to meet assigned and contingency missions, while ensuring sustained care of service members, families, and civilians. We will continue to balance fiscal constraints with our non-negotiable commitment to mission readiness,” Allyn said.  “We appreciate the continued community support, patience, and willingness to extend a helping hand to all those serving our Nation. Together, we’ll lead our way to mission success and the sustained readiness of our servicemembers, families and civilians.”