24th Annual American Day to showcase culture to Japanese community Published May 23, 2012 By Public Affairs Office 35th Fighter Wing MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- As a way to introduce a bit of American culture to the local Japanese community, the base's 35th Fighter Wing, with support from Misawa City and the Misawa International Club, is hosting the 24th Annual American Day, June 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. off base. The well-known event will take place throughout the heart of downtown Misawa City at the Civic Center and Chuo Park, leading up to Sky Plaza Misawa. "The Misawa Air Base and Misawa City communities have a great relationship," said 1st Lt. Daniel Ledeboer, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron and American Day committee lead. "American Day is just one of the joint community activities that helps strengthen that relationship." Every year, many volunteers from private base organizations set up American-based food booths to share a taste of home. Americans and Japanese also participate in activities such as a family fun run, an American-themed parade, sports tournaments, street performances and even a haunted house. To celebrate the festivities, the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific Asia's ensemble, Pacific Trends, will perform at the Misawa Civic Center, June 2, at 6:30 p.m. The concert is free to the public; doors will open at 6 p.m. American Day a great event for Japanese and Americans, said Ledeboer. It's a day for our Japanese neighbors to learn and live American culture for. It's a way for base residents to showcase American culture, by volunteering at food booths selling southern-style food, showing off their muscle cars or American motorcycles in the parade, and participating in some fun events, he added. For a tentative schedule of American Day events, click here.