On any other weekday afternoon, Coast Guard Airman Aaron Beckworth would have his nose in a book, studying at the Aircraft Technical Training Center's A School.

But on Monday, Beckworth was among the thousands of base personnel, their families and community volunteers who braved 90-degree heat to soak up the sights and sounds of Coast Guard Day.

Staff photo by Brett A. Clark (ENLARGE)

Colin Carr, 4, reacts to his 'Batman' face painting by 'Joy the Clown' during Coast Guard Day at the U.S. Coast Guard base in Elizabeth City, Monday. The event celebrated the 218th anniversary of the Coast Guard's founding in 1790.

Beckworth, of Humboldt Bay, Calif., said he was enjoying the event, held annually to celebrate the founding, in 1790, of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service, the forerunner of the U.S. Coast Guard. He was particularly impressed by the large turnout of community volunteers, he said.

"It makes you feel valuable," Beckworth said. "It makes you feel welcome, especially when you're away from home."

Capt. Carol Bennett, commanding officer of the base's Support Center, was similarly impressed.

"Folks from the community are volunteering to help us out on the food line," she said.

Jennifer Palestrant, president of the Elizabeth City Area Chamber of Commerce, said 42 community volunteers helped Bennett and five other base commanders serve lunch to Coast Guard personnel and their families during the afternoon celebration.

In all, about 4,005 people participated in the afternoon event, celebrating the Coast Guard's 218th birthday. That was about 1,000 more than attended last year's Coast Guard Day, Tony Buero, base director of Morale, Well-being and Recreation, said.

Organizing Coast Guard Day is always "a lot of work and a lot of fun," Buero said.

Bennett said officials try to make it a point to hold Coast Guard Day as close as possible to the Coast Guard's official founding date, which is Aug. 8.

Besides plenty of grub, the event featured games and raffles for Harley-Davidson gear, as well as activities for children, such as the "pump and jumps" and face painting. Coast Guard firefighters also put on a puppet show about fire safety that featured the clowns "Matches" and "Lighter."

Also on hand was Kasey Kahne's Budweiser sponsored NASCAR show car. Mobile Marketer Mike Cochran said he was glad to attend on Kahne's behalf.

"I've traveled all over the world," he said. "This is nice. Seeing the families and all the kids out here is great."

Singer/songwriter Natalie Stovall from Nashville, Tenn. and the Kelly Bell Band from Baltimore also provided live entertainment.

Brady Cain, 17, son of base Comptroller Lt. Eric Cain, and his friend, Chris Hollowell, also 17, said they really enjoyed the bands.

"The music is my favorite part," Cain said. "I'll probably buy a CD."

Like Beckworth, Aviation Maintenance Technician 2 Jacob Marx was also taking advantage of the day off to just relax and meet people. Marx, also from Humboldt Bay, Calif., attends the C school at the base.

"It's a morale builder for us," he said. "It makes you feel proud. It's great to see so much support."

Bennett said those Coast Guardsmen who missed out on the celebration because they had to work Monday will be given a day off later.

Thomas A. Roddy, chief of logistics and support at the base, said the base challenges other Coast Guard facilities around the country to prove that they put on a bigger Coast Guard Day.

"Nobody (as yet) has accepted the challenge," he said.

Bennett said the main reason the Elizabeth City base's event is so successful is the relationship with the local community.

"We've had a wonderful relationship with Elizabeth City and we're glad to see such a big turnout," she said. "This is such a great base — it's beautiful."