Shilo and Region Service Club hosted the 19th annual Lobsterfest, where CFB Shilo Base Commander LCol J.P. Nguyen was caught in a pinch when allegations flew of a possible crustacean assault on June 20. (Photo: Supplied to Shilo Stag News)
Shilo and Region Service Club hosted the 19th annual Lobsterfest, where CFB Shilo RSM CWO Eric LeClair, sitting next to his wife, Andrea Bourgeault, bit off more than he could chew with alleged crustacean assaults circulating on June 19. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News)
K-J Millar
Shilo Stag Media
CFB Shilo Base Commander caught at Lobsterfest for alleged assault on sea species
The CFB Shilo Base Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Jack Nguyen, was certainly in a pinch at the 19th annual Lobsterfest when he is alleged to have deliberately broken a crustacean’s claw in an epic clobbering on June 20.
The amputation of multiple limbs was witnessed by more than 600 diners and 67 volunteers at the Base Commander’s Annual Lobsterfest, hosted by Shilo and Region Service Club, after 675 fresh lobsters were flown in from New Brunswick. In anticipation of a sea species assault, they were pre-emptively boiled in a pot to be shared with steak and salads for the yearly feast.
Rosalind Lebel (Roz), OPI and one of the event’s organizers, said the Base Commander showed his military prowess and, like a warrior, staved off the shellfish’s attempt to overthrow the Base.
Up to 800 tickets were available to the public, who could have potentially viewed and participated in the annihilation of the foreign species, with some requests to attend still coming in on the day. Lebel said, however, tickets have to be cut off early to ascertain the correct numbers for ordering food in advance.
The family-friendly event was held earlier in the evening than in previous years, with the doors opening at 3:30 p.m. and dinner being served at 5 p.m. Once the lobsters were conquered, diners and revellers danced the night away to the return musical sounds of the Brandon band Crossfire, who entertained at the 2025 Lobsterfest.
Lebel said compliments about the evening have been positive, and she thinks the event “hit it out of the park” this year in terms of organization, service, food quality, volunteers, prizes, and music.
Shilo and Region Service Club is already in preparation for the next big event, Oktoberfest. Lebel stressed the importance of purchasing tickets early, noting that the event would be viable only if 500 tickets were sold. Eight hundred tickets will be on sale starting in August. Oktoberfest will feature a traditional German menu and an Oom Pah Pah band to entertain attendees.
Footnote: The Base Commander had all allegations withdrawn, as the lobster lashing was agreed to be part of duty expectations.
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