Special to GUIDON

This year, July 4th at Fort Leonard Wood will kick off your Independence Day weekend with a run with the Stars & Stripes 5K/10K Fun Run. The 10K begins at 6 a.m. and the 5K begins at 8 a.m. Both runs will start at Sports Complex B. The cost is $10 per person. The run is open to the public and those interested can register at Davidson Fitness Center. For more information, call 596.7444.

Following the fun run, the Piney Valley Golf Course is hosting a Red, White and Blue Golf Tournament. Shot gun is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. with breakfast served at 8:30 a.m. The tournament is a two-person scramble and teams will tee off of red, white and blue tees. Each set of tees will be using different formats. If sufficient teams enter, different flights will be made to score. Tournament fees are $30 for Annual Green Fee Patrons and $35 for non-AGFP. Cost includes golf, green fees, cart, breakfast and gift certificates. This event is open to the public. For more information, call 329.4770.

The 4th of July Car Show will begin at 12 p.m. and continue until 7 p.m. on Gammon Field. For more information, call 596.0243.

Later in the afternoon, the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation and Fort Leonard Wood will kick off the Annual MWR Independence Day Celebration, which is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. at Gammon Field. There will be various games and activities for the entire family to include military vehicle displays, horse shoes tournament, interactive games, watermelon eating and seed spitting contests, car show and more.

The 399th Army Rock Band, “The Woodchucks” and Trixie Delight will perform during the event. The Salute to the Union will begin at 7 p.m., followed by the 2012 U.S. Army Soldier Show at 7:30 p.m. — a 90-minute song-and-dance production. The theme this year mirror’s the Chief of Staff’s motto, which is “The strength of our Army is our Soldiers, the strength of our Soldiers is our Families, and that’s what makes us Army Strong.” Following the completion of the Soldier Show, the area’s largest fireworks display will commence.

Concessions from various vendors and a variety of booths will be available. The event is free and open to the public and everyone is encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the fun. No outside food, beverages, coolers or pets. For more information, call 596.6913.