USO Presents Carnival in Celebration of the 150^th Anniversary of the Rock Island Arsenal, Sponsored by PepsiCo

The USO (United Service Organizations) of Illinois is bringing the USO Carnival to the Rock Island Arsenal on July 7^th as part of the 150^th Anniversary Celebration of the Arsenal. Sponsored by PepsiCo, the USO Carnival will bring Quad Cities military and civilian families together in support of the U.S. Armed Forces and the Arsenal.

Open to the public, the event will offer families a full day of fun. Included in the festivities is Cirque-tacular Entertainment, a unique act of high caliber circus, specialty, and novelty performers. The USO of Illinois' own music program, Spirit of the USO Band, comprised of Chicago-based, professional musicians and entertainers will perform on the main stage. Especially for military kids, the USO Discovery Kids Arts & Crafts Tent will provide kids the opportunity to make crafts and special handmade projects. The Blackhawks Puck Shot Challenge will challenge festivalgoers to test their puck skills with the Stanley Cup Champs. The Military Family Resources Tent will feature booths dedicated to best-in-class military community resources including representatives in such areas as Career, Education, Financial and Legal Resources. The USO Carnival has been made possible in part by the Chicago Blackhawks, Chevrolet, Stern Beverage, Inc. and Modern Woodmen.

Global food and beverage leader PepsiCo, the event's premier sponsor, is in its third year of partnership with the USO of Illinois through mentorship programs, wounded warrior transition empowerment and local community support. In celebration of this partnership, PepsiCo volunteers will also be on hand to give away "Pepsi Pack" care packages to the first 500 military kids attending the Carnival.

"We're proud to sponsor this wonderful event that brings together the local military community," notes Brett Lucas, national chair of the VALOR employee resource group at PepsiCo.  "From partnerships and outreach events, to mentoring programs and hiring initiatives, PepsiCo and VALOR are committed to supporting service members,veterans and their families in every way."

The Rock Island Arsenal anchors the military community of the Quad Cities and touches the lives of all Quad Citians; it is a common thread that ties communities together in the Quad Cities. The mission of the USO is to enhance the quality of life of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families and to create a cooperative relationship between U.S. military andcivilian communities throughout the state of Illinois. The USO Carnival is an opportunity for the USO and the Arsenal to join together in their bringing communities together in support of the military.

The Rock Island Arsenal has supported the U.S. military's warfighters in the field for 150 years through the continued accomplishment of its duty to America's warfighters in a relevant, ready and reliable manner.Today, the Rock Island Arsenal is a major military installation where 8,000military and civilian individuals are employed.

In honor of the Arsenal's anniversary, the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce has launched, Hooah! Quad Cities, an ongoing military appreciation and community goodwill campaign created to support the military and their families, veterans and the Rock Island Arsenal. To learn more, visit http://www.hooahquadcities.com.

EVENT SCHEDULE: Saturday, July 7, 2012

10:00 AM - 150^th Anniversary Celebration Parade

11:00 AM - Opening Ceremony

11:30 AM - 4:30 PM Carnival Attractions

5:00 PM - Closing Ceremony

ABOUT USO OF ILLINOIS

The USO lifts the spirits of America's troops and their families. The mission of the USO is to enhance the quality of life of the U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their families and to create a cooperative relationship between U.S. military communities and involved or supporting civilian communities. The USO of Illinois is a civilian 501(c)(3) registered non-profit, not a government agency. We are supported solely by the generosity of the American people.