Okinawa City celebrates international friendship this weekend

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason Lake
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Okinawa City's "Koza Gate Street," right outside Kadena's Gate 2, will be closed to vehicle traffic from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday as thousands of Okinawans and Kadena residents participate in Okinawa City's International Carnival and Gate 2 Fest. Two traffic lanes on Highway 330 between Goya Four Corners and Chuo Park Avenue's entrance will also be closed to vehicle traffic from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday.

The two-day festival kicks off at 1 p.m. Saturday with an opening ceremony between Okinawa City and Kadena officials followed shortly after by an international parade with more than 800 participants, including Kadena residents who will march on behalf of the base.

The highlight of the festival will be an international tug-of-war contest scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Saturday. Thousands of participants will test their strength as they pull a three-ton, 300-yard rope that Kadena residents, like Michael Waterman, helped build last weekend.

"Last year our family participated in the tug-of-war," explained the master sergeant from Det. 1, 554th Red Horse Squadron. "Our family likes to get involved with the community, so this year we helped build the rope for the tug-of-war."

Kadena's Airmen Committed to Excellence organization has been asked by local officials to help move the rope to the tug-of-war site Saturday and is looking to recruit 150-300 people from the military community to help with the mammoth task. Interested participants can call Senior Airman Reginald Brown at 634-6207 or Airman 1st Class Amanda Grabiec at 634-1509. 

Takako Fukuhara, community relations advisor for 18th Wing public affairs, said the festival is a great opportunity for Kadena residents to experience local culture literally right outside the gate.

"This carnival has more than two decades of history between Kadena Air Base and Okinawa City to incorporate its international neighbors," she said. "Okinawa City has been proud of being an international culture city and an invitation to the festival events represents hospitality of the local residents. "Parents should take the children out this weekend and enjoy the various activities."

In addition to the parade and tug-of-war, there will also be other music and cultural activities. Below is the tentative schedule:

Saturday, Nov. 21
Children's kickball, Gate 2 Street at 12 p.m.
Opening ceremony, Music Town at 1 p.m.
Okinawan dance, 1:45 p.m. at Music Town
Classic cars display, 2 p.m. at Gate 2 Street
International parade at 3 p.m. on Gate 2 Street
International tug-of-war, 6 p.m. at Gate 2 Street
Live music begins at 7 p.m. in Music Town

Sunday, Nov. 22
Children's Eisa Dance, Gate 2 Street from 1 to 2 p.m.
Harley Davidson parade, Gate 2 Street, 2 p.m.
Music Town Live performances, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Miss Okinawa City Beauty Pageant at Music Town 3:30 to 4 p.m.
BMX bike demonstration 4 to 4:30 p.m. , Gate 2 Street
MOC Beauty Pageant Winner at Music Town, 5 to 6 p.m.
Variety performances from 5 to 9 p.m.