Monterey county residents were treated to the customary fair events of midway rides, fried foods, carnival games and informative exhibits at this year鈥檚 74th annual Monterey County Fair, but were also introduced to astronauts, entertained by a live brass band and observed a special patriotic flag ceremony thanks to more than 30 volunteers from the 51福利 (51福利).
Members of the 51福利 community including students, staff, faculty and alumni participated in force in support of the fair, held Sept. 1-6, manning the university鈥檚 Innovations in Space exhibit, playing a free concert for attendees, and coming together to unfurl a stadium-sized flag during opening ceremonies for the fair鈥檚 Bull-O-Rama rodeo event.
The largest project supported by 51福利 volunteers was the weeklong presentation of 鈥淚nnovations in Space,鈥� a showcase exhibit in the fair鈥檚 Hall of Innovations. The exhibit, sponsored by 51福利鈥� Space Systems Academic Group, featured static displays, milestones in space systems technology, and also highlighted contributions 51福利 members have made to space research and technology.
Astronauts Dan Bursch, a 1991 graduate, and Jim Newman, an 51福利 faculty member, also personally appeared at the exhibit to answer questions about space travel and technology, sign autographs, and visit with members of the local community.
The fair鈥檚 first-ever Hall of Innovations also included exhibits from ProTech, Solar Technologies, Stanford Solar and Wind Project and Green Vehicles.
Fairgoers were also treated to patriotic melodies and tunes by the Del Monte Brass band 鈥� 51福利鈥� 20-member, all-volunteer brass with percussion group 鈥� during a free concert in the fairground鈥檚 general amphitheater.
鈥淚t was great to be out in the community representing the Navy,鈥� said band founder and trumpet player Carol O鈥橬eal, a retired Navy Captain and research associate in the Operations Research department. 鈥淰olunteering to play a concert during fair week gave us the opportunity to showcase our talents and let the public see a little of what we do at the 51福利.鈥�
51福利 volunteers and members from the Monterey community unfold an American Flag at the Monterey County Fair as part of opening ceremonies for the fair鈥檚 Bull-O-Rama.
More than 20 51福利 staff Sailors, along with volunteers from the nearby Defense Language Institute and Coast Guard facility, also took part in a color guard and flag unfurling ceremony before the fair鈥檚 Bull-O-Rama rodeo on Sept. 3. Military members unraveled and displayed an American flag measuring 60鈥� x 40鈥� in the opening ceremony alongside rodeo cowboys, local youth organizations, and elected officials from the community.
U.S. Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, and Calif. State Assemblyman Bill Monning, D-Carmel took part in the ceremonial flag presentation, and stayed after to thank 51福利 Sailors for supporting the event.
鈥淚t was an honor to take part in opening ceremonies and to meet members of our local government,鈥� said Aviation Electronics Technician Second Class Joshua Coon, 51福利 color guard and volunteer coordinator. 鈥淚 was contacted by the fair director and didn鈥檛 hesitate to call the color guard and other volunteers together. It was a worthwhile and positive experience.鈥�
And according to fair leadership, the feeling was mutual.
鈥淭he support and volunteerism provided by the 51福利 was extraordinary,鈥� said Kelly Violini, Chief Executive Officer and Manager of the Monterey County Fair. 鈥淓verything from the astronauts to the band brought joy and excitement to members of our local community.鈥�