This weekend, March 24th, our base hosted the Kamiseya Cherry Blossom Festival. The base opens
it's doors to the community and throws a party. The Japanese people are very curious about the American bases and this gives them an opportunity to see what the base is like and what us crazy Americans are doing. 
The Navy sets up booths and educates the public on everything from airplanes to American food. The different squadrons were also selling 'American' merchandise (mostly Navy t-shirts). What was crazy was the prices! They were selling t-shirt for about $30-50 and the Japanese were paying it! The most popular food booths were the beef kabobs and the pulled-pork sandwiches. But, the winner, by far, was the cotton candy, that line had to be at least a 20 minute wait!
it's doors to the community and throws a party. The Japanese people are very curious about the American bases and this gives them an opportunity to see what the base is like and what us crazy Americans are doing. 
The Navy sets up booths and educates the public on everything from airplanes to American food. The different squadrons were also selling 'American' merchandise (mostly Navy t-shirts). What was crazy was the prices! They were selling t-shirt for about $30-50 and the Japanese were paying it! The most popular food booths were the beef kabobs and the pulled-pork sandwiches. But, the winner, by far, was the cotton candy, that line had to be at least a 20 minute wait! The festivities started at 11am, we got there a little early because last year they had over 20,000 people attend. 
This year is was only estimated at 10,000, largely in part to our cherry blossoms. While they are extremely closes to flowering all we currently have are buds. The cherry trees line both sides of the boulevard outside and inside the base. The trees are gorgeous without the blossoms, I can only imagine what they will look like in a few days! Anyway, along with the booths there was also a wide variety of entertainment. Both the Japanese and Americans participated. There were Japanese cheerleaders, who started each cheer with 'Ready...okay!" and then gave a cheer in Japanese. 
Kinda funny. Some of our favorite acts were the Japanese dancers and the Japanese drummers called 'taiko.' Taiko are traditional Japanese drums used historically to summon spirits for fortune, strength and harmony. The Americans also did some entertaining. The Air Force band performed and from what we understand (we left a little early) there were also military marching drills, and a demonstration of Army dogs.
This year is was only estimated at 10,000, largely in part to our cherry blossoms. While they are extremely closes to flowering all we currently have are buds. The cherry trees line both sides of the boulevard outside and inside the base. The trees are gorgeous without the blossoms, I can only imagine what they will look like in a few days! Anyway, along with the booths there was also a wide variety of entertainment. Both the Japanese and Americans participated. There were Japanese cheerleaders, who started each cheer with 'Ready...okay!" and then gave a cheer in Japanese. 
Kinda funny. Some of our favorite acts were the Japanese dancers and the Japanese drummers called 'taiko.' Taiko are traditional Japanese drums used historically to summon spirits for fortune, strength and harmony. The Americans also did some entertaining. The Air Force band performed and from what we understand (we left a little early) there were also military marching drills, and a demonstration of Army dogs.
The trees behind us are the cherry trees...soon to be in bloom!
Later that evening we went to Dinner Mystery Theater. It was a 'who dunnit' interactive play. The storyline was not the best in the world, but the audience participation made the event worthwhile. Colby even got up and 'shook his groove thing.' (He's doing the 'young man' part of YMCA).
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