American Day

So every year the base puts on American Day to increase the community involvement and help our Japanese neighbors get a taste of American culture (more like American festival culture). I totally forgot to bring the camera, so sorry that there aren't any pictures. The day usually starts with a parade of base vehicles and throwing American candy at the kids. I think every squadron sends a few people and a car. They are followed by one of the local motorcycle "gangs"--there are tons of different styles of bikes! 

At 11AM (or there abouts) the music starts. There are performances by American bands, Japanese bands, Taiko drummers and Japanese bands singing American music. There are also performances by Japanese school aged kids, they are always cute. This year was cold, but lots of people came out anyway. American venders sell everything you might find at a barbeque or carnival like turkey legs, BBQ chicken/ pork, funnel cakes, hot dogs and kababs. One of my favorites is fried Oreos! Closer to City Hall are the Japanese venders. They sell normal Japanese festival foods like fried chicken on a stick, soba and yakisoba and delicious whipped cream crepes.

I took my dog with me, much like other dog owners. It was a little more crowded this time so I had to carry her most of the time. Anthony was helping sell with one of the American booths. he was dressed up as Beetlejuice--very convincing. He said that he scared some kids. He laughed when he told me that both American and Japanese moms can be jerks; they'd send the kids up to him for a picture or something knowing that the kid would get freaked out.