CAMP RED CLOUD, South Korea - U.S. Army Garrison Red Cloud hosted a Community Spring Festival to celebrate the opening of the Child, Youth and School Services and the Community Activity Center/Youth Center facilities as part of the Month of the Military Child here April 2.
The festival began with a parade led by the 2nd Infantry Division Band and the Korea Culture Media High School marching band from Dongducheon.
The parade also included motorcyclists, go-cart riders and children who threw candy and plastic toys out to the crowd.
There were games with prizes, face painting and clowns for the crowd to enjoy. Several vendors were selling clothes and accessories, and some military organizations had their booths set up to promote their programs.
Senior leaders from USAG Red Cloud held a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of the CYSS and CAC facilities.
Following the ribbon cutting was a signing of the Month of the Military Child proclamation at the new CYSS building.
"Today's festival not only commemorates the Month of the Military Child, but also the grand opening of CYSS and the CAC," said Kay Chong, the program manager at the CYSS School Age Center manager.
"Starting April 11, the first day of spring break, our programs will be launched officially. We provide diverse after school programs such as arts and craft, science and computer programs. We really put our effort in preparing the programs and I hope many students take advantage of these great opportunities."
Command Sgt. Maj. Nidal Saeed, USAG Red Cloud command sergeant major, a Detroit, Mich. native, said he was pleased with how the event unfolded.
"I was surprised with the turnout at today's festival," he said. "Approximately 400 people from all over the community came to participate in this event. It was a great success."
For some attendees, the festival was simply a great opportunity to spend quality time with their families.
Sgt. 1st Class David Shackleton, the operations manager of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 210th Fires Brigade, brought his wife and children to the spring festival.
"My wife saw this event posted on the Pear Blossom (Family Outreach Center) web page, so I decided to come here with my family," said Shackleton, a Detroit, Mich. native. "I don't get many chances to hang out with my kids and wife, so this festival is a great opportunity to spend some time with my family."
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