Holiday Fest 2008: Giving back to Airmen

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Holly Hess
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Airmen of the 60th Air Mobility Wing and their families will be treated to Holiday Fest 2008, an afternoon of food and fun, Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Hangar P-14. 

The free event is a way the wing can give back to our hard-working team at the start of this holiday season. 

"My goal for the Holiday Fest is to give a little bit back to the entire 60th team," said Col. Mark Dillon, 60th AMW commander. "I look forward to seeing the friendly rivalry between squadrons during the events, the free food and some of our teammates dressed up festively in the elf costumes. In fact, I've already placed an undisclosed amount down on 
Chief Williams to dress up as one of Santa's helpers." 

The event is planned with all Airmen and their families in mind, with a lot of events for everyone to participate in. 

"People can enjoy a free barbeque chicken lunch and eight inflatable events to include a Velcro wall, king of the mountain, bouncy boxing, a huge 28-foot slide and more," said Capt. Eric Ballew, 22nd Airlift Squadron aircraft commander and Holiday Fest coordinator. "Also, 20 of the North Pole's finest elves will be handing out candy canes." 

Members of the 60th AMW can help choose Santa's helpers by voting for their favorite, or not-so-favorite, person to participate. Each vote is 25 cents. The top 15 winners and bottom five with the least amount of votes will be the lucky people chosen to wear elf costumes and help Santa out during the festivities. 

Additionally, squadrons will face-off in four competitions to see who will have bragging rights as the winners of Holiday Fest 2008. 

"Each squadron can compete in a Rock Band Battle of the Bands competition for all those rock stars out there," said Captain Ballew. "Each squadron will compete to rock the crowd." 

Squadrons not interested in being Holiday Fest rock stars, can also compete in gladiator jousting, sumo wrestling and bungee-run dunk competitions. 

"It will be an exciting afternoon and great opportunity to spend time with friends and family before the holiday," said Captain Ballew. 

All food and festivities are free. Come to the Fest in the uniform of the day or athletic attire if participating in the events. For more information on Holiday Fest 2008 and the Santa's helper fundraiser, please contact your squadron representative.