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 3:00PM
Event ends at 9:00PM

Public parking and admission are free.

EVENT FEATURES:

3:00pm Arrival & Welcome

(The Nineveh Masonic Lodge #317 - Heroes of 1776 will perform)

4:00pm Opening Ceremony - Opening Prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, followed by National Anthem, Host speaker Dan Cartwright Introduction – brief purpose of event, acknowledge of veterans and military families in attendance, introduce Guest Speaker(s) Retired Major General R. Martin Umbarger & Colonel Bell Give Thanks – Any service men/women to please rise for recognition Call up veterans by branch (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Space Force) Optional: short bio or years of service announced, Mention Veteran resource at event, Final remarks, Moment of Silence for Fallen Soldiers, Closing Pray, Welcome & Thank guest for attending, Let's start the activities – everyone disperse.

Closing Ceremony

Activities Start - Access to food trucks, vendors, a biergarten, 2hr live broadcasting with 101.5 WKKG radio station, live music & inflatable bounce houses, a cornhole tournament, rock climb wall, zipline, axe throwing trailer, and more!

5:30pm - 6:30pm - Terrell Sparks
7:00pm - 9:00pm - The Bishops
9:00pm Farewell & Departure
9:00pm Event Ends

More Event information will be released soon.

COMFIRMED BIERGARTEN:

The Old School Tap
Science Project Brewing

CONFIRMED FOOD TRUCKS:

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

CONFIRMED VENDORS:

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

Festival County Indiana awarded JoCo an events grant, going towards inflatables & activities

#festcountyin

A huge Thank you to our Event Partners, Grants & Sponsorships, Contracted Services, Donations & 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)