Yokota welcomes 130,000 for annual Friendship Festival
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --
Yokota opened its gates to more than 130,000 visitors in celebration of Yokota's annual Japanese-American Friendship Festival, August 21-22.
The two-day festival not only provided Yokota's neighbors a taste of American fun, but also served to strengthen ties with the local community.
"Even in America, the walls that separate military bases from their surrounding communities make it difficult for our neighbors to understand our mission," said Col. Otto Feather, 374th Airlift Wing commander. "Every year, we open Yokota's gates to show a glimpse of what we do here and increase our mutual understanding."
2010 Friendship Festival Project Officer Capt. Joseph Skerly agrees that camaraderie on a local level strengthens the important relationship between the U.S. and Japan.
"I think that the Friendship Festival is a great cultural exchange for us and the local community," he said. "It's a great chance for us to show off Yokota, and secure our ties here in the region."
Seventy-eight vendors from both on and off base sold everything from funnel cake to t-shirts. A number of the vendors were on-base private organizations to include the boy scouts and the Red Cross.
The entertainment this year included games, a fireworks display, 36 live performance groups, including gold and platinum artists from Japan, a stunt motor cycle show, and a "Strong Man" competition.
This year's static display consisted of 15 visiting Japan Air Self Defense Force and 19 visiting U.S Navy and Army aircraft, as well as 8 local static and demo planes. In total there were 42 Japanese and American Forces aircraft on display.
Maya Akiyama, a local Japanese resident who has attended the festival for the past two years, said she enjoys the food, music and static display.
She also added that because the base is not a place that is open all the time, it is fun to come and feel the American atmosphere.
The two-day festival not only provided Yokota's neighbors a taste of American fun, but also served to strengthen ties with the local community.
"Even in America, the walls that separate military bases from their surrounding communities make it difficult for our neighbors to understand our mission," said Col. Otto Feather, 374th Airlift Wing commander. "Every year, we open Yokota's gates to show a glimpse of what we do here and increase our mutual understanding."
2010 Friendship Festival Project Officer Capt. Joseph Skerly agrees that camaraderie on a local level strengthens the important relationship between the U.S. and Japan.
"I think that the Friendship Festival is a great cultural exchange for us and the local community," he said. "It's a great chance for us to show off Yokota, and secure our ties here in the region."
Seventy-eight vendors from both on and off base sold everything from funnel cake to t-shirts. A number of the vendors were on-base private organizations to include the boy scouts and the Red Cross.
The entertainment this year included games, a fireworks display, 36 live performance groups, including gold and platinum artists from Japan, a stunt motor cycle show, and a "Strong Man" competition.
This year's static display consisted of 15 visiting Japan Air Self Defense Force and 19 visiting U.S Navy and Army aircraft, as well as 8 local static and demo planes. In total there were 42 Japanese and American Forces aircraft on display.
Maya Akiyama, a local Japanese resident who has attended the festival for the past two years, said she enjoys the food, music and static display.
She also added that because the base is not a place that is open all the time, it is fun to come and feel the American atmosphere.
