MCAS' new exchange opening Wednesday

After about 14 months of construction, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma's new Marine Corps Exchange is scheduled to open Wednesday.

The grand opening of the 64,000-square-foot MCX complex will have four event-packed days - Wednesday through Saturday - each featuring something for all ages.

"The intent behind it was to spread the grand opening out over four days so there is something for everyone," said Jenifer Larson, Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) marketing assistant and sponsorship coordinator. "We wanted to have something for every demographic, and I think we will."

After a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. Wednesday, the first 100 visitors will receive a goodie bag and an MCX gift card of up to $250. Cooking demonstrations will go from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by beer tasting from 2 to 4 p.m.

Guitar Hero and Call of Duty video game tournaments are scheduled from 3 to 7 p.m. Winners will receive an Xbox 360, games and an MP3 player. Mixed martial arts stars Frank "Twinkle Toes" Trigg and Rob Emerson will be signing autographs from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

MCCS has organized a family fall festival day, which starts at 4 p.m. Thursday. It will include face painting, pony rides, family games and the chance to win a washer and dryer. Another beer tasting is scheduled, as well as a guest appearance by the Bud Girls.

Friday's theme will be a "taste of MCAS." Exchange patrons will be able to sample the different types of beverages and food the new exchange has to offer. These include Dryers ice cream, Rice King, Carl's Jr., Frito-Lay with an appearance by Chester Cheetah, Benito's Pizza and more, as well as various brands of alcohol.

Tommy and the Drifters, a blues rock band, will be playing from 4 to 7 p.m. during the tasting.

Saturday, the last day of the grand opening, is deemed "Xtreme day." It will include Monster Motocross team performances at 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. There will also be a NASCAR simulator open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"I am ecstatic about it," said Larson. "I think this grand opening is going to be great."

Cpl. Laura A. Mapes writes for Desert Warrior, the newspaper at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.