MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- This month’s Flashback Fridays party, themed “Good Vibrations,” featuring music from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, was held early in the evening at the Onslow Beach Gazebo aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Aug. 27.
Service members, retirees and their families gathered for the party, which was free to all. They had free food and beverages, and a disc-jockey entertained the crowd with a musical blast from the past. Previously, Flashback Fridays events included a rock and roll theme in July and a country theme in June.
Ruth Gooch, a reservations assistant with Onslow Beach, said the event was just one more way for participants to come and have a good time at the beach.
“Tonight’s event is ‘Good vibrations,’” said Gooch. “We’re trying to promote places for people to come and enjoy themselves while they’re here at (Onslow) beach. We want people to know we are here and they can have fun. You don’t have to rent (a cottage) to be out here – it’s for everyone.”
Attendees of all ages danced and sang throughout the night along with hit songs from the past. Some of them even remember the tunes from their childhood, as others recall their parents humming while doing day to day tasks.
While some have been to the Flashback Fridays events throughout the summer, this was the first night out at the beach for others.
“I think it’s great,” said Laura Koene, deputy director with Semper Fit. “I didn’t really have anything do tonight and even though I’m not really into dancing, it’s something that gets us out and it’s fun to watch. It’s nice to see this area become more resort-like, rather than just being a place to come rent a cottage. This is like … a vacation package; there is stuff to do on the side.”
Edith Eliason, a karaoke D.J. for the event, said her job is simple: to keep the party going.
“I play music, keep them dancing and try to get them to have fun and enjoy themselves,” said Eliason. “It’s important to keep the community together, and with events like these, you can always get them to come together. People from all ages come for all the different styles of music, for the ambiance, for the camaraderie.”
For more information about Flashback Fridays or Onslow Beach, call 440-6546 or visit the website mccslejeune.com/beach.