Photo By Staff Sgt. Janessa Dugan | Dave Rublin plays the bass guitar during the headlining concert of the 22nd Annual...... read more read more
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Okinawa residents, service members and their families poured in through the Camp Hansen gate Sept. 3-4 for the 23rd annual Camp Hansen Fest.
Okinawa residents and Status of Forces Agreement members attended the two-day festival that continues to build the close relationship between Camp Hansen and the local community through food, games and live entertainment.
“Camp Hansen holds open-gate events quarterly so Okinawa residents and service members can get together in a social setting and get to know one another a little better,” said Col. Brian M. Howlett, the camp commander of Camp Hansen. “We are determined to work closely together through the relationships we build through our social events and willingness to complement each other professionally here on Okinawa.”
During the festival, attendees enjoyed a vast array of ethnic dishes from food stands, played carnival games for prizes, rode carnival rides, explored static displays of tactical vehicles and equipment, and enjoyed live entertainment.
“The concerts always bring a lot of guests in from the local community,” said Takayuki Kayo, the Camp Hansen community relations specialist. “Music and food are two ways we use to bridge the cultural gaps between Okinawa residents and service members. Everybody loves food and music.”
SOFA members came together with local food vendors and suppliers to prepare for the annual event.
“Volunteers and Marine Corps Community Services employees come together and work exceptionally hard to make these events happen,” said Howlett, a Naples, Florida, native. “The volume of the work and the work ethic itself is remarkable. These outstanding professionals have given up free time to work toward the common goal of putting together a great event for not just U.S. personnel but also Okinawa residents and all guests and building on the already strong relationship that we have up here with the residents of Kin Town.”
As the sun began to set, attendees gathered around the main stage and enjoyed a free concert by American Authors, an American rock band who headlined the festival’s live entertainment.
After the concert, attendees with V.I.P. passes filed backstage to take photos with the band and receive autographs.
“We encourage residents and service members to please remember that we love to have you and welcome you with open arms,” said Howlett. “We will continue to hold our open gate days here on Camp Hansen on this quarterly basis so we look forward to spending more time with Okinawa residents on and off-base.”
For more information on upcoming festivals and events, visit: www.mccsokinawa.com.
| Date Taken: | 09.03.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 09.13.2016 02:39 |
| Story ID: | 209377 |
| Location: | CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP |
| Hometown: | NAPLES, FLORIDA, US |
| Hometown: | PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 54 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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