A young girl tightly holds an inflatable ball given to her by staff at the Marine Corps Community Services’ Youth and Teen Center’s 7th annual Month of the Military Child Festival at the Multi-Purpose Activities Center Dome here April 11. The more than 450 children present were able to joyfully experience an Easter egg hunt prior to the myriad of events during the festival such as face painting, children’s games, toy giveaways, and a sack race.

Photo by Sgt. Robert Durham

Month of the Military Child Festival

17 Apr 2009 | Sgt. Robert Durham Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Iwakuni, Japan -- Marine Corps Community Services’ Youth and Teens department held its 7th annual Month of the Military Child festival here April 13.

The event kicked off with an Easter egg hunt with more than 5,000 eggs.

Almost 1,000 people, including nearly 500 children from on and off station are attended both events.

“Every day is kid’s day,” said Eugene Clark, MCCS Youth Activities Supervisor here. “But here we give the best and biggest in the Far East, the DOD, in the Marine Corps. We wanted to continue that tradition” said Clark.

There were more than enough activities to keep everyone busy at the event.

Three large inflatable play areas allowed younger children to bounce off the walls, including a giant inflatable dragon, a triceratops shaped bouncing pen, and a blow-up carousel.

Many activity booths allowed children to play games, get their face painted, or learn about organizations they could join such as the local Boy Scout troop.

MCCS staff ran hot dog and hamburger grills providing lunch to hungry guests.

There were also raffles, where MCCS gave away Easter baskets.

The festival was the grand finale of a very eventful spring break week in which MCCS held golf camp, bowling camp and babysitting classes.

For more information about upcoming events for the Month of the Military child, and other local activities, go to the MCCS web site at www.mccsiwakuni.com, or call 253-5284.