1 / 6Show Caption +Hide Caption –Visitors get to experience old traditional Korean clothing and armor at the Korean Cultural Booth in Independence Park May 19 during the 2018 Spring Festival on USAG Humphreys. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christopher B. Dennis, USAG Humphreys Public Affairs Office.) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Christopher B. Dennis)VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 6Show Caption +Hide Caption –A child gives Sparky the fire dog a high five May 19 in the kid's play area in Independence Park, during the USAG Humphreys Spring Fest. During the 2018 Spring Fest, local residents from the Pyeongtaek area were allowed to come on to USAG Humphreys' Independence Park to enjoy the fun, food and festivities. (U.S. Army photo by Jung, Hyunji USAG Humphreys Public Affairs Office Intern) (Photo Credit: Jung, Hyunji)VIEW ORIGINAL3 / 6Show Caption +Hide Caption –Children from Soldiers and Pyeongtaek local residents enjoy the inflatable playground and slide May 19 in the kid's play area of Independence Park during the 2018 Spring Festival on USAG Humphreys. During the festival Korean citizens were allowed to come on to the installation's Independence Park and see a little of what life is like on the Garrison. (U.S. Army photo by Jung, Hyunji USAG Humphreys Public Affairs Office Intern) (Photo Credit: Jung, Hyunji )VIEW ORIGINAL4 / 6Show Caption +Hide Caption –Soldiers, family members and local Koreans enjoy the food vendors May 19 at Independence Park during the 2018 Spring Festival on USAG Humphreys. An exchange of cultures happened during the 2018 Spring Festival, the Garrison and local community held simultaneous festivals on both sides of the gate to share food, music and culture. (U.S. Army photo by Lee, SangHoon, USAG Humphreys Public Affairs Office Intern) (Photo Credit: Lee, SangHoon)VIEW ORIGINAL5 / 6Show Caption +Hide Caption –Sgt. Stephen Adkisson, a guitarist for the Eighth Army Band, rocks the crowd May 20 outside USAG Humphreys drive-in gate in Pyeongtaek, South Korea during the 2018 Spring Festival. The Spring Festival for 2018 was held both on and off USAG Humphreys, the off base portion was put together by the city of Pyeongtaek and had a flea market, games, food and a stage for multiple musical performances by both local bands and the U.S. Army. (U.S. Army photo by Lee, SangHoon, USAG Humphreys Public Affairs Office Intern) (Photo Credit: Lee, SangHoon)VIEW ORIGINAL6 / 6Show Caption +Hide Caption –A child gets to dunk a U.S. Army Military Policeman May 19 at the M.P.'s donation booth and dunk tank during the 2018 Spring Festival at Independence Park on USAG Humphreys. (U.S. Army photo by Lee, SangHoon, USAG Humphreys Public Affairs Office Intern) (Photo Credit: Lee, SangHoon)VIEW ORIGINAL
USAG HUMPHREYS, South Korea - The Spring Festival 2018, an annual event held at U.S. Army Garrison Humphrey, was successfully hosted by both the garrison and Pyeongtaek city May 19 to 20, in an attempt to promote cultural understanding between U.S. Army and the citizens of Pyeongtaek city.
This event was held to celebrate Korean-American friendship and cross-cultural understanding.
To facilitate that, Independence Park on USAG Humphrey was opened to the local public and Korean residents, so they could come inside and see what they haven't been able to until now.
"Nowadays, Camp Humphrey was huge expanded. I thought it is difficult to understand the different culture because I don't know exactly what is going on in the Camp Humphrey. However, today I entered here and I experienced a lot. Through these experiences, my sense of difference and worry has decreased," said Pyeongtaek resident Eunhae Kang.
The event included band performances, Children's inflatable playground, games and a Korean cultural booth; where people could try Korean traditional clothing and games.
Among the most popular events was the kid's play area with inflatable playground, bumper cars, rides and slides.
"My daughter especially loves the inflatable slide and she really enjoyed it with her friend, so she tried it over and over … and I think this event is a very positive experience for us," said Jenny Rippeth a spouse stationed at USAG Humphreys.
Outside of USAG Humphrey's drive-out gate, there was a companion Spring Fest hosted by Pyeongtaek City and Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation (PIEF).
This event included local merchants, food, games, a flea market and various performances by local performers, K-pop tryouts and the Eighth Army Band.
"It is always great to have this kind of event, to be able to meet different people and different cultures. It helps to understand each other better. I think this event is well organized," said Erik Schuster.
Both USAG Humphreys community and the city of Pyeongtaek worked for months before hand to provide a successful event, aimed at bringing the best possible event for the community.
"PIEF worked months beforehand to prepare the festival. Moreover, we will do our best to make the Spring Festival is the best festival to represent Pyeongtaek City," said Eun Hee Myeong, executive director for PIEF.
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