Despite poor weather early on, the public flocked to see airplanes and eat food at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni’s annual Friendship Day on Monday.

The event is a rare opportunity for Japanese citizens to visit the base, view military and civilian aircraft and see exhibition flights.

This year, about 200,000 attended the day-long event, according to the provost marshal’s office.

There was some morning sprinkles but the weather began to break around lunchtime, said Iwakuni spokesman Lance Cpl. Noah Leffler.

Gates opened at 5 a.m. for the event and the weather was overcast. But by noon, about 93,000 people had entered the air station, Leffler said.

Morning attractions included a flyover by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s F-2 and F-4 fighters, he said.

“It was the first time the F-2 has done a close fly-by of the base,” Leffler said.

There also were stunt planes and aerial acrobatics during morning performances, he said.

After lunch, there was a skydiving exposition by the E-Team Parachute Jump Team, said Cpl. Lendus B. Casey.

“About three to four came down on the flight line,” he said. “The people really seemed to enjoy it.”

The event also featured a Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally and a car show.

“The weather was pretty good throughout the event,” Casey said. “After [the morning clouds], it cleared up and was really nice.”

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