Brig. Gen. Matt Molloy, 18th Wing commander, turns on the base Christmas tree with the help of Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and children of deployed service members during the tree lighting event for Tinsel Town on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 1, 2012. The tree lighting event was the last event of the annual Tinsel Town event for service members and their families. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady)
Kadena's Christmas tree stands fully lit during the tree lighting event during the Tinsel Town event on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 1, 2012. As part of the last event of the annual Tinsel Town event the base's tree was turned on by Brig. Gen. Matt Molloy, 18th Wing commander, Santa, Mrs. Clause and children of deployed service members. U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady)
Michael Joiner (right) and Donald Moore, both 9 Long Lives band members, perform "Johnny Be Good" for the crowd during the Tinsel Town holiday festival on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 1, 2012. Despite dark skies and a constant Okinawan drizzle in the air, the event gave a merry light to the crowd with games, children's rides, concessions, prize giveaways and concerts by several bands including country music star Trace Adkins during his USO tour. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Maeson L. Elleman)
Country music artist, Trace Adkins performs for service members and their families at an 18th Force Support Squadron and USO-hosted concert in the Schilling community center parking lot on Kadena Air Base, Japan Dec. 1, 2012. The country music star performed a variety of songs and thanked the crowd for their service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady)
Members of the rock band 9 Long Lives perform during the Tinsel Town holiday festival on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 1, 2012. Despite dark skies and a constant Okinawan drizzle in the air, the event gave a merry light to the crowd with games, children's rides, concessions, prize giveaways and concerts by several bands including country music star Trace Adkins during his USO tour. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Maeson L. Elleman)
Country music artist, Trace Adkins performs for service members and their families at an 18th Force Support Squadron and USO-hosted concert in the Schilling community center parking lot on Kadena Air Base, Japan Dec. 1, 2012. The country music star performed a variety of songs and thanked the crowd for their service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady)
Children ride the swing merry-go-round during the Tinsel Town holiday festival on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 1, 2012. Despite dark skies and a constant Okinawan drizzle in the air, the event gave a merry light to the crowd with games, children's rides, concessions, prize giveaways and concerts by several bands including country music star Trace Adkins during his USO tour. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Maeson L. Elleman)
Country music artist, Trace Adkins performs for service members and their families at an 18th Force Support Squadron and USO-hosted concert in the Schilling community center parking lot on Kadena Air Base, Japan Dec. 1, 2012. The country music star performed a variety of songs and thanked the crowd for their service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady)
A food vendor prepares garlic chicken skewers at the Tinsel Town holiday festival on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 1, 2012. The event featured roughly 65 separate vendors, organizations, crafters and volunteers from on- and off-base facilities, promoting a positive relationship with service members and the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Maeson L. Elleman)
Momocita Okn (right) and Jerome Hicks, both Nu-Reality band members, perform "All I Want for Christmas is You" during the Tinsel Town holiday festival on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 1, 2012. The event featured roughly 65 separate vendors, organizations, crafters and volunteers from on- and off-base facilities, promoting a positive relationship with service members and the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Maeson L. Elleman)
Country music artist, Trace Adkins performs for service members and their families at an 18th Force Support Squadron and USO-hosted concert in the Schilling community center parking lot on Kadena Air Base, Japan Dec. 1, 2012. The country music star performed a variety of songs and thanked the crowd for their service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady)
Country music artist, Trace Adkins performs for service members and their families at an 18th Force Support Squadron and USO-hosted concert in the Schilling community center parking lot on Kadena Air Base, Japan Dec. 1, 2012. The country music star performed a variety of songs and thanked the crowd for their service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady)
Rock band 9 Long Lives performs during the Tinsel Town holiday festival on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 1, 2012. Despite dark skies and a constant Okinawan drizzle in the air, the event gave a merry light to the crowd with games, children's rides, concessions, prize giveaways and concerts by several bands including country music star Trace Adkins during his USO tour. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Maeson L. Elleman)
Billy Gillenwater and Michael Joiner, both guitarists for the band 9 Long Lives, perform "Johnny Be Good" for the crowd during the Tinsel Town holiday festival on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 1, 2012. The event featured roughly 65 separate vendors, organizations, crafters and volunteers from on- and off-base facilities, promoting a positive relationship with service members and the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Maeson L. Elleman)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Terrence Crenshaw Jr., 18th Logistic Readiness Squadron vehicle maintainer and face-painting volunteer for the Tinsel Town holiday festival, paints a picture on Lily Grace Palmer's face during the event on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 1, 2012. Despite dark skies and a constant Okinawan drizzle in the air, the event gave a merry light to the crowd with games, children's rides, concessions, prize giveaways and concerts by several bands including country music star Trace Adkins during his USO tour. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Maeson L. Elleman)
by Senior Airman Maeson L. Elleman
18th Wing Public Affairs
12/4/2012 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- From beneath umbrellas and hooded coats, service members and their families brought in the holiday season with the annual Tinsel Town holiday festival at the Schilling Community Center Dec. 1.
Despite dark skies and a constant Okinawan drizzle in the air, the event gave a merry light to the crowd with games, children's rides, concessions, prize giveaways and concerts by several bands including country music star Trace Adkins during his USO tour.
"It's an annual event that's been going on," said Katy Larson, Schilling Community Center director. "It may not have had the Tinsel Town name, because it's kind of evolved over the years, but traditionally there's always been a tree lighting ceremony."
Larson, who's been on the island since mid-2011, said events like Tinsel Town are important to give service members a little taste of home and family fellowship, despite being stationed so far from home.
"For the active duty military and their family members, the (Department of Defense) civilians and the (DoD Dependent School) teachers, we are so far from home and it's just a kick off to the holiday celebration," Larson said. "Large events like these are about giving back to the community. To me, that's what's important."
Larson said the event featured roughly 65 separate vendors, organizations, crafters and volunteers from on- and off-base facilities, promoting a positive relationship with service members and the local community.
Larson said, "I know in the last two years we've really tried to provide activities that provide not only the slice of home, but even infuse some of the Okinawan culture."
The Schilling Community, which has historically featured parades and other surprises over the years, fully intends to host Tinsel Town again next year.
