MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan — Country to classic rock, originals to covers: The sounds replaced the more usual swoosh of golf balls cutting through the air on the fairway behind Club Iwakuni on Saturday as about 500 people gathered for the base’s 2005 Summer Music Festival.

Bands played into the evening for the event, sponsored by Marine Corps Community Services and featuring a mix of genres, cover songs and original tunes.

Staff Sgt. Michael Renwick, a Georgia native partial to country and classic rock, sat relaxed on the neatly clipped grass, his arms wrapped around his knees. He smiled a lot and rocked to the vibes.

“This is awesome,” he said loudly, to be heard over the band Seven Sons during a long set. “My wife works with the lead singer, Ronnie Nicks; he’s doing such a great job.”

Other bands included Running with Scissors, Elements and San Diego-based 619.

“The various types of music are reflective of the eclectic mix that is the Marine Corps,” Renwick said. “They all came and played hard.”

The music festival menu featured grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, steak and ribs served under tents beside the fairway. “Bouncy” rides and other games about 100 yards from the bandstand occupied energetic children.

The weather was almost perfect for the outdoor event. Clusters of casually-clad couples and families picnicked, appearing to enjoy the music and the night air.

Among them were Sgt. Greg Blake, wife Kei and daughter Skyler, who took the opportunity to throw down a blanket and stretch out, resting her head on her mother’s lap.

“Three of the guys in this current band work with me in the calibration shop, so that just makes it that much more enjoyable,” Blake said.

“I just love it,” he added. “I prefer a variety of music styles such as what we are hearing tonight.”