IWAKUNI MARINE CORPS AIR STATION, Japan — Club Iwakuni Ballroom is the hot spot this weekend for newcomers to learn about — and old-timers to refresh their knowledge of — what’s available on and off base.
The third annual Iwakuni Information Fair takes place from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday.
Twenty-three organizations have registered to set up display tables or booths, according to Doriann Geller, Iwakuni Marine Corps Community Services spokeswoman.
“Iwakuni is a remarkable little base with great support from the city of Iwakuni,” Geller said.
The primary purpose for the free event is best summed up by its slogan: Pathway to Information.
In addition to information about the base and area, organizers booked entertainment for the approximately 500 attendees.
The sponsors for the 2003 event are All Nippon Airways Hotel in Hiroshima, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Communications, Fukuoka’s Space World theme park, Japan Enhanced Network Services Corp. and local photography studio Shashin Kobo.
Air station organizations slated to operate displays are Information and Referral Office, Boy and Girl Scouts, the Navy Branch Medical and Dental clinics, American Red Cross and the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society.
“We’ll also be showcasing available MCCS jobs and offering information about working for MCCS,” Geller said.
Off-base registrants include Iwakuni city government, Iwakuni Health Center and Sinfonia Iwakuni.
Geller said organizers “are really excited” about entertainment coming from off-base.
Throughout the day, three Japanese taiko drum teams will take turns pounding out their special brand of booming melodies.
In addition, the chapel choir and the base’s salsa students will perform, as will the youth martial arts group Little Tigers and the Ashihara Karate class, she said.
“There’ll be a lot of free information,” she said, “and there’ll also be a lot of giveaways.”
The giveaways include a free night in a twin room at Hiroshima’s ANA Hotel, massages, tickets to Space World and a variety of local gift certificates.
“We’d like the community to come and find out what Iwakuni offers,” Geller said. “And we’ll encourage them to stick around, have a bite to eat in the club, and stay for the prize drawings.”
For more information call 253-6161.
