At the annual Labor Day Festival on Camp Casey in August 2012, children enjoy a "train ride" while their parents take pictures. Area I's biggest annual recreational event is just two weeks away, scheduled for Aug. 31 from 3 to 10 p.m. at the Indianhe...
CAMP RED CLOUD -- Area I's biggest yearly recreational event for Soldiers, civilians and family members -- an end-of-summer party known as the Labor Day Festival -- is just two weeks away.
The 2013 Annual Labor Day Festival is scheduled for Aug. 31 from 3 to 10 p.m. at the Indianhead Golf Course on Camp Casey.
The Festival is a lot like a county fair back in the states and is meant to give Warrior Country residents of all ages a "taste of home" as they celebrate America's Labor Day.
It's designed to appeal equally to single and unaccompanied Soldiers and families too.
Plans call for a broad mix of fun activities and live entertainment including carnival rides, hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy, bands playing various musical styles, a flea market, an obstacle course, and more.
"Think about it, we're thousands of miles away from home, we're away from our families, and one way to help us reconnect with what we're missing back home is to give them a taste of home," said Marenzo Domingo, marketing specialist with U.S. Army Garrison Red Cloud and Area I's Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
"That's where you have your carnival food that you're used to back in the states -- your hot dogs, face painting, carnival rides, a petting zoo and several other activities that you would normally associate with back home," Domingo said.
Along with the hot dogs, hamburgers and cotton candy there's to be funnel cake and popcorn, and a pie-eating contest, said Staff Sgt. Jason Knight, events and entertainment coordinator with USAG Red Cloud and Area I's FMWR.
Carnival rides and games include a mini-train, water boats, water balls, a merry-go-round, Viking rides -- one for kids, another for grown-ups; and a bungee "slingshot."
Also planned are mule and donkey rides, a children's petting zoo, face painting, and a kiddie korner with additional activities for youngsters.
For youngsters ages 6 to 18 there'll be a potato sack race, three-legged race, spoon race, tug-of-war, and wheelbarrow race.
Several bands are lined up: the 2nd Infantry Division's Rock Band; a saxophone group; a Korean fusion band that plays pop music on traditional Korean instruments; a mariachi band; Korean B-Boy style dancers; and a Korean rock band called Mad Fret.
A traditional Korean dance troupe is also on the schedule, along with a tightrope balancing act.
"We have activities for both single soldiers and married soldiers and family members and we have something for everyone, whether single or married," Domingo said.
Social Sharing