Patriotism is more than simply love of country; it’s also reverence for those who have sacrificed to serve our great nation.
The Third Annual American Patriot Fest provides an opportunity to celebrate America’s revered active military, veterans, those who gave all and their families from May 18-21 at the Craig Ranch Regional Park, 628 W. Craig Rd. This free, family-friendly event will feature a wide range of festivities, including: the Red, White and Blue 5K Run and Walk; the Ride for Troops charity motorcycle ride; a replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall and tributes of other American conflicts; food; vendors; kids activities; fundraising efforts for military and veteran charities and live entertainment by Love and Theft, The Long Run – Experience The Eagles and more.
The festival will begin with the arrival of the American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT), an 80 percent scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. For the first time in a decade, the AVTT will be proudly presented in the Las Vegas Valley. The public is invited to view the wall free of charge and make rubbings of the names of their fallen loved ones. Counseling will be provided by The Vet Center. It will be open 24 hours a day, from 3 p.m. Thursday, May 18 to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 21. The official escort of the AVTT to Craig Ranch Regional Park will be on Wednesday, May 17 at 6 p.m. beginning at Henderson Harley-Davidson, with a free BBQ from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The American Patriot Fest activities will run from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, May 19 and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 20. Admission is free and open to the public.
On Saturday, the morning will start with the Red, White and Blue 5K Run and Walk, with registration at 6:30 a.m. and the race and walk at 8 a.m. Tickets are $30 per person, $25 for military and $20 for the walk. Kids age 5 and under are free. Proceeds will benefit local heroes through the Nellis Support Team. For more information or to register, visit https://americanpatriotfest.com/5krun.html.
The Ride for Troops motorcycle charity ride also will take place on Saturday. The ride will begin at the Henderson Harley-Davidson, where riders will have rare access to a military installation to tour a threat training facility featuring Soviet era equipment and vintage Russian motorcycles. The ride will conclude at Craig Ranch Regional Park where participants will receive a complimentary meal. Tickets are $30 per person and $15 for active military. Proceeds will benefit the Nation of Patriots and the Stars and Stripes Foundation. Advanced registration by Wednesday, May 3 is required for those without installation clearance. For more information or to register, visit https://americanpatriotfest.com/ridefortroops.html.
Friday and Saturday attendees can enjoy bounce houses and other kids’ activities, military displays and performances by local bands throughout the day. The award-nominated country duo, Love and Theft, will perform at 8 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday, attendees can enjoy a showcase of cars by 360 Car Show. Car enthusiasts are invited to register their car to be displayed in the car show. Early registration is $30 and $40 the day of the event. Military personnel receive free registration. For more information, visit https://americanpatriotfest.com/carshow.html.
In addition, The Long Run – Experience the Eagles will perform at 5 p.m. The band’s performance delivers a reverence for the beloved Eagles recordings blended with The Long Run’s own live-concert personality.
American Patriot Fest is produced by Source One Events and Radar Entertainment. It is sponsored in part by The Las Vegas Review Journal, Navy Federal Credit Union, Budweiser, Smoken Sams, the City of North Las Vegas, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Henderson Harley-Davidson, Elite Media and 361 Degrees.
About American Patriot Fest
American Patriot Fest is a free, annual, family-friendly event designed to celebrate and to say thank you to our armed forces. The Las Vegas Valley community and visitors from the southwestern and western region of the USA come together to Honor, Respect and pay Tribute to all branches of our armed forces and their families; including active military, Veterans and those that have served and sacrificed. For a schedule of events, to sign up for the Red, White and Blue 5K Run and Walk or the Ride for Troops Motorcycle charity ride, visit www.americanpatriotfest.com.