CFAY Hosts 28th Annual Spring Festival

Photo By Taylor Ardito | YOKOSUKA, Japan (March 23, 2024) - Capt. Les Sobol, Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Master Chief Boatswain's Mate Jeffrey Brooks, Master Chief Master-at-Arms Anwar Blakely, and Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka’s (CFAY) mascot Yokopon pose for a photo with a two visitors during the Spring Festival. Scheduled during Japan's cherry blossom season, the 28th annual Spring Festival open base event was held by CFAY to give community members and guests the opportunity to enjoy the cherry blossoms and spring weather together, highlighting the friendship between the U.S. Navy and the City of Yokosuka. (U.S. Navy photo by Taylor Ardito)  

YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN

03.23.2024

Courtesy Story

Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka

Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) hosted its 28th annual Spring Festival, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of 35,000, including 23,000 visitors from off-base, underscoring the deep-rooted friendship between the U.S. Navy and Japan. The popular festival, celebrated since its inception in 1993, brought guests from all over Japan – including the country’s northern most island of Hokkaido and southern city of Osaka.

“Today isn’t just about welcoming spring, it’s a celebration of the enduring friendship between the U.S. Navy and Japan – a tradition that’s connected our cultures since 1993. With 35,000 attendees today, we’re set for an exceptional day,” shared Capt. Les Sobol, Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka during a live AFN radio broadcast at the event.

The Spring Festival has long been a bridge between the U.S. Navy and the local community, offering a rare glimpse into the life and operations of the U.S. Navy. This year, the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) and the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) opened their decks to the public, allowing thousands of visitors to tour the ships. This gesture of openness was particularly special, as it marked the second time the USS Ronald Reagan has been opened to the public since its arrival in Yokosuka in 2015, the first of which being on Oct. 12, 2015 shortly after arriving in Yokosuka .

Capt. Daryle Cardone, Commander, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), emphasized the ship’s commitment to fostering relations with the host nation. “For the last nine years, Japan has been an incredible host and a second home for my crew. To show our appreciation, we opened the USS Ronald Reagan to the Japanese people during this year’s Spring Festival.”

Beyond the ship tours, this year’s event included a diverse lineup of entertainment and activities including music and entertainment on two separate stages. A few of the other exhibits included tours of an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, fire and first responder vehicles, a car show, and water jetpack demonstrations. One of the hallmarks of the festival are the wide variety of food options, street performances, and live music. To accommodate the day’s unpredictable weather, main stage events were relocated to Benny Decker Theater and local stage events to Purdy Gym, ensuring the festival’s activities remained undampened.

As the community enjoyed the festival offerings, the consistent theme was the celebration of the enduring partnership and mutual respect between the U.S. Navy and the people of Japan. The event not only serves as a platform for cultural exchange but also as a reflection of the strong ties and shared values that bind the two communities together.

“You smiles and laughter were the best feedback we could ask for,” Sobol remarked, capturing the essence of the festival’s impact. He continued, “Events like this show just how strong our team at CFAY is and how strong the bond is between our nations and our people.”

The CFAY Spring Festival serves as an annual reminder that the U.S.-Japan alliance is a cornerstone of regional shared interest and values, none of which would be possible without the many departments and volunteers that comprise CFAY, as well as the many supporting associations and city of Yokosuka.

• Date Taken: 03.23.2024
• Date Posted: 04.29.2024 03:34
• Story ID: 469310
• Location: YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP