![Actor and Marine veteran R. Lee Ermey is pictured with a group of sailors at last year's Military Appreciation Day. [contributed]](https://www.theavtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Lee-Ermey-and-sailors-Milit-App-Day-2014.jpg)
FREE admission. Admission will be free all night [beginning at 4 p.m.] for active and retired military and their guests with military IDs and DD214s.
A VIP welcome. From 4 to 7 p.m., Community Queens, Joe Walker Middle School Civil Air Patrol, and A.V. Blue Star Mothers will be welcoming active and retired military and their dependents via a special VIP, red carpet entrance at the main gate.
Active and retired military will be given lanyards for their specific branch of military. Each dependent will be given a yellow ribbon while supplies last.
Patriot Guard Riders. At 7:30 p.m., in the Miller Lite Grandstand area, Patriot Guard Riders will ride into the arena on motorcycles and vehicles with American flags. The Patriot Guard Riders are a diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. The one thing they have in common besides motorcycles is “an unwavering respect for all military fighting for the freedoms of others, at home and abroad,” according to Larry Miller of the Patriot Guard Riders.
A tribute to all military personnel. Following the Patriot Guard Riders will be the Joe Walker Middle School Civil Air Patrol Color Guard for the presentation of colors. Announcer Don Jesser will lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and Staff Sgt. Gerald Lockwood of the 562nd Air Force Band will perform the national anthem on his trumpet.
The ceremony will pay tribute to all military personnel, with each branch of the military described followed by that branch’s anthem. The Civil Air Patrol cadet holding the appropriate branch flag will step forward. When the anthem for that branch/flag begins, active and retired servicemen and women will be asked to stand to be recognized. The flags will be presented in the following order: Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Air Force.
Figure 8 Race. At approximately 8 p.m., the Figure 8 Race, sponsored by Cullen Insurance Agency, will begin. This event is free with paid Fair admission for everyone.
For more information on Military Appreciation Day at the AV Fair, visit avfair.com or call 661-948-6060.
[Information via news release from Antelope Valley Fairgrounds.]
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Tim Scott says
I would like to say that for the Fair to claim that they appreciate the military and then give VETERANS the finger is absolutely disgusting…but not terribly surprising. I plan to spend “military appreciation day” visiting as many fair sponsors as I can manage, buying absolutely nothing, and telling them how much I think this sucks.