Military Appreciation Day

This is a FREE ADMISSION, FREE PARKING, FAMILY FRIENDLY event that is open to the public.

As we honor our nation's heroes and our military families for all of their service, bravery, and sacrifices.

Join Johnson County Parks and Recreation along with Dog Tags of Johnson County as we SALUTE our VETERANS & MILITARY FAMILIES.

Special Guest Speaker - Retire Major General R. Martin Umbarger & Colonel Bell

EVENT DETAILS

Johnson County Parks and Recreation - Amphitheater Area

3097 E. 32nd Street. Nineveh, IN 46164

Saturday, September 12, 2026
Gates open at 3 p.m.
Event ends at 9 p.m.

Public parking and admission are free.

EVENT FEATURES

3 p.m. Arrival and Welcome

• Gates Open
• All Vendor, Organization Booths and Activities Open
• The Nineveh Masonic Lodge #317 - Heroes of 1776 will perform

4 p.m. Opening Ceremony

• Play Proud to Be an American by Lee Greenwood
• Welcome,    Dan Cartwright
• Recognize Dignitaries,    Dan Cartwright
• Honor Guard Posts the Colors - Edinburgh American Legion Post 233, Dan Cartwright
• National Anthem, LouAnne Herschell
• Chaplain Invocation,  Chaplain Ibok
• Introduce Col Bell,  Dan Cartwright
• Colonel Bell
• Introduce Major General Umbarger,   Dan Cartwright
• General Umbarger
• Closing Benediction,  Chaplain Ibok
• Retiring of Colors -Edinburgh American Legion Post 233, Dan Cartwright

Closing Ceremony

• Play American Soldier by Toby Keith
• Closing Comments, Dan Cartwright

4:45 p.m. Activities

• Food vendors, Biergarten, Live Music, bounce houses, axe throwing, rock climbing, and more!
• Sponsorships, Donations, Local and State Organizations Booths (Festival Country, Indiana, ICAN, Camp Atterbury, Indiana National Guard, Dog Tags of Johnson County)
• Craft and Promotional Vendors
• Inflatable Bounce Houses, Bungee Trampoline, Inflatable Obstacle Course, Rock Climbing Wall, Zipline, Axe Throwing Trailer, and Yard Games
• Cornhole Tournament - Free entry,  First and Second Place trophies
• Networking and conversation

Music

5:30 - 6:30 p.m., Opening Act - Bethany Rhodes

7-9 p.m., Main Headliner - The Bishops

BIERGARTEN

The Old School Tap
Science Project Brewing

FOOD TRUCKS

Jones Project Barbecue
Sliced and Diced
Lickity Slick
Soda Mixers
Patriot Pizza
CJ's Barbecue

VENDORS

Chic-Fil-A's Cow Mascot will be present during event
Renewed by Andersen
Our Fabulous Furbabies

Festival County Indiana awarded Johnson County Parks an events grant, going towards inflatables and activities

#festcountyin

A huge Thank you to our Event Partners, Grants and Sponsorships, Contracted Services, Donations and Prize Donations

Festival Country, IN
Camp Atterbury
Dog Tags of Johnson County
Johnson County Parks and Recreation
Hoosier Horse Park
Johnson County Parks and Recreation Park Board
Johnson County Commissioners
Johnson County Soil and Water District
Blonde Entertainment
Bouncers R Us
Chic-Fil-A (Franklin, IN Restaurant)