Pvt. William Paige and Roger Trickler have fun at Fourth at the Fort. This year rain would put a premature end to the event. PHOTO BY BERKLEY PRITCHETT

Underneath a blue sky that stretched across the horizon the American flags that decorated the top of Williams Stadium calmly fluttered in the wind. Below soldiers and civilians walked around the circular track, enjoying themselves and buying an item or two from the various vendors.
Dan Gauvin, marketing specialist for Fort Lee's Morale, Welfare and Recreation department, said the Fourth at the Fort was the biggest event at Fort Lee. It was so big they started preparing for it right after the conclusion of the previous year's celebration.
This year more people were expected to come, around 20,000. This was because high gas prices were expected to keep people close to home. Organizers had even set up an overflow area, which was the baseball field beside the stadium. Last year, roughly 12,000 people attended.
"Usually by seven o'clock this place will be packed," said the MWR department’s Floyd Noon, who was dressed as a clown and tied balloons for kids. "Last year I worked six hours straight. No bathroom break, no nothing."
One vendor said so many people went to Williams Stadium on July 4 it became hard to walk around.
Since the Fourth at the Fort is one of the biggest events at Fort Lee it's a great opportunity for business owners to take advantage of. Around the track there were all sorts of vendors. They sold food, figurines and T-shirts, amongst other things.
In one booth a girl in a blue tank top was seated, giving a man a tattoo. She concentrated on drawing a cross on his upper right arm, and wasn't distracted by the festivities outside the booth.
"It's helped tremendously with my business growth," said Emily Young, owner of Tantrum Tattoos, located in Petersburg. "I've probably handed out at least 200 business cards."
Gauvin said the Fourth at the Fort helped local businesses by introducing them to the soldiers.
"It lets soldiers know what's around post," he said. "It's also showing support from the businesses for the soldiers on Fort Lee."
All the sponsorship dollars go to MWR, but it doesn't keep the money.
"All these sponsorship dollars goes to put on events like this, and make them better for next year," said Jennifer Villaume, sponsorship manager for MWR.
Around 6 p.m. more people started to show up, and things were running smoothly. The football field was becoming dotted with more and more people. unfortunately, around the same time gray clouds on the horizon made their appearance known.
A bolt of lightning flashed, and that was enough for Young to start packing up her booth. A few minutes later, rain drenched the field, and everyone that had been enjoying a warm, summer day sought shelter behind the stadium. They watched puddles of mud form around them while waiting for the rain to stop.
The rain didn't last long, but whatever momentum the event had had been lost, and many people left.
But the brief period of rain was only a preview of what was to come. A few minutes later it rained again, and this time the downpour was harsher–and it certainly was not brief.
By 8 p.m. the much-anticipated fireworks show had been canceled due to safety issues. Also, most people who came to attend the event had left. The only people who stayed behind were business owners, their workers and MWR people, none of whom had any intention of hanging around. In the pouring rain they hurried to clean their booths so they could leave. Most of the businesses had planned to stay until the fireworks were set off, which was scheduled to begin at 9:35 p.m.
Tarifa Houti, owner of Philly's 'R Us, said business was OK, but it could have been better.
"The people that are here are ready to enjoy themselves," said Houti. "But overall it was cut short."
Although the Fourth at the Fort was cut short, Fort Lee still plans to set off fireworks. The makeup date will be Aug. 29, Labor Day weekend.

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