Fort Campbell Kicks Off the Holidays With Tree Lighting and Parade

US Army photo by Sgt. Caleb Pautz

Fort Campbell is lighting up for the holidays this Friday, and there's a full day of festivities planned for military families and the community. The base is hosting its annual tree lighting ceremony, a brand-new holiday parade, and Winter Wonderland events that will make December 5th and 6th feel extra special around Clarksville.

Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting

The fun kicks off Friday, December 5th at 4:30 PM with Fort Campbell's first-ever Holiday Parade. The parade starts outside Wilson Theater and travels down Normandy Boulevard, turns onto Tennessee Avenue, and ends at the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Campbell Headquarters on Screaming Eagle Boulevard.

Once everyone arrives, the tree lighting ceremony begins at 5:30 PM. The 101st Airborne Division Band and the Child and Youth Services Choir will perform holiday music, and of course, Santa Claus will make his grand entrance. It's the kind of event where you'll want to bring your camera and maybe some hot chocolate.

Winter Wonderland All Day

The holiday celebration actually starts earlier in the day with a holiday market opening at 2:00 PM near the Garrison Headquarters. This year, organizers moved all the major activities to the area between Screaming Eagle and Normandy boulevards to keep everything in one central location.

Melissa Schaffner, chief of the NAF Support Division for the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, said the new setup makes it easier for families to enjoy everything. You can arrive early, browse local vendors at the holiday market, grab food from the trucks, and claim a great spot to watch the parade and see Santa arrive.

The holiday market features local vendors and food trucks and stays open until 9:00 PM, so there's plenty of time to shop for gifts, enjoy some treats, and soak up the holiday atmosphere. Schaffner thanked partners Campbell Crossing and USAA for their support in making the event possible.

After the tree lighting, families can head to the R.F. Sink Library at 6:15 PM for photos and story time with Santa. It's a nice way to keep the festivities going and give kids a quieter moment with the big guy.

Free Christmas Trees on Saturday

The Winter Wonderland celebration continues Saturday, December 6th with the Trees for Troops event at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Parade Field. This national program, run with FedEx and the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, gives real Christmas trees to service members and their families at no cost.

Since the program started in 2005, Trees for Troops has delivered more than 325,000 trees to military bases across the United States and overseas. Fort Campbell was one of just five installations to receive trees in the program's first year, and this year, trees will be distributed to 93 installations nationwide.

Junior enlisted service members can pick up trees from noon to 2:00 PM, and all active-duty personnel can get theirs from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, or until supplies run out. You'll need to bring your military ID card, and families are encouraged to bring blankets or padding to protect their vehicles when transporting the trees home.

Fort Campbell is a huge part of the Clarksville community, and events like this bring military families and local residents together during the holidays. Whether you're active duty, a military family member, or just someone who appreciates what Fort Campbell means to this area, these celebrations are a chance to enjoy the season and show support for the troops. 

For more updates on what's happening at Fort Campbell and around Clarksville during the holidays, https://ClarksvilleScoop.com shares stories like this to keep you connected.