Americans and Japanese enjoy Americafest 2009 Published July 9, 2009 By Tech. Sgt Angelique Perez 18 Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Kadena Air Base welcomed 50,000 people July 3 and 4 during AmericaFest 2009 to enjoy the displays, entertainment and of course, the food. The two-day event celebrated America's Independence Day and promoted friendships between the base and local community. Highlights of the event included aircraft static displays representing all four U.S. military services as well as the Japan Air Self Defense Force, musical performances, a kiddie land for entertaining children and fireworks displays. Also a huge hit were the American food booths run by various base organizations who sold everything from pizza and hamburgers to funnel cakes and fried oreos. "My family and I had a really good time," said Senior Airman Eric Atkinson, from the 18th Component Maintenance Squadron, "my daughter loved the rock-climbing wall and the bands and food were great. It was also pretty cool to mingle with the local community and give them a chance to see what we do here; it's nice to see everyone having fun." Though the weather could have been better on the first day, those who braved the rain and went anyway were treated to an amazing concert by Melinda Doolittle and Gary Sinise's Lt. Dan Band, those who went on Saturday instead got the full Americafest experience, said Col. Scott Jarvis, 18th Civil Engineer Group commander. "The entertainment provided AmericaFest 2009 was phenomenal!" Col. Jarvis said. Colonel Jarvis praised the impressive performances of Gary Sinise and his Lt Dan Band as well as the amazing voice and incredible vocal range of Melinda Doolittle. All the entertainment performances were a hit among those who attended. Many of the Airmen who attended understood the importance of AmericaFest in fostering better relations with Okinawans who live around the base. It also allowed Americans and Okinawan's the chance to share their own cultures with each other. "As guests here in Okinawa, it is vital that the American military community continue to reach out and learn as much as we can about the amazing culture we find in Okinawa; and at the same time, to be able to share our own culture and in particular our traditional 4th of July celebration," he said. As with any major open house, it would be impossible to plan and conduct an event on this scale without volunteers. Colonel Jarvis commended all the volunteers who worked for months behind the scenes in the planning and preparation phases. He also thanked the volunteers behind all the entertainment, vendor booths, parking, traffic control, static displays, and shuttle buses, who worked through the holiday weekend to make the event a success. "As the Director, I could not be more proud to have worked alongside the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airman and Civilians that helped make AmericaFest 2009 such a huge success!" said the Colonel. "I salute them all as great Americans and wonderful ambassadors of our great Nation and its proud Armed Forces." To see the AmericaFest video, click here.