P a ge 24 t o pside V olume 120 , I s s u e 2
Coast Guard Community Festival Continued
Fortunately , this year ' s festival managed to proceed successfully , even amidst the rain and gray skies , almost erasing the memory of the three-year hiatus . Coinciding with the 75th Anniversary of Training Center Cape May , the festival ' s return held a special significance as it marked the moment when the Department of the Navy officially handed over the base for permanent full-time use by the Coast Guard as a recruit receiving and training center .
TRACEN Cape May is the Coast Guard ’ s 5th largest base with 450 acres , 258 buildings , eleven individual tenant commands and graduates over 3,000 recruits per year . As you ’ d imagine it takes many hands-on-deck to ensure a successful festival in such a large facility . Festival volunteers included 34 Auxiliarists representing multiple flotillas from District 5NR . Auxiliarists served in a variety of duties including : parking / traffic control , gate security , vendor support , cutter guides , tour guides and public affairs kiosk attendants . It was all done with a big emphasis on Coast Guard and community support .
Things to see and do – From the moment the visitors came through the gate at TRACEN they were met with an array of local vendors , local non-profit agencies sharing information about their
Coastie Boat and Joe Coastie services , Coast Guard asset displays and demonstrations , various food truck cuisines and a Beer Garden with offerings by several local microbreweries . The Kids Zone kept kids busy with face-painting , balloon animals , games & inflatables and several children story readings by children ’ s book author Scott McBride , a Navy Veteran and current USCG Public Affairs Officer . There were K-9 demonstrations throughout the day and live music by Kenny Curcio , a national touring , contemporary country rock singer / songwriter from Medford , NJ . Walking tours of Coast Guard Cutters were aided by Auxiliarists who oversaw the safe and orderly onboarding and disembarkation of the vessel by visitors . The only disappointment of the day was the cancelation of the helo visit from Air Station - Atlantic City due to the overcast and limited visibility , but there is always next year .
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