Welcome to Shilo! The third annual free welcome dinner on Military Family Appreciation Day will be held Sept. 14 in L25. Nicole Gamsyager deployment and special events coordinator encourages everyone in the Shilo community, from individuals to couples to families to come along for some food and fun. Photo: K-J Millar /Shilo Stag.

K-J Millar
Shilo Stag News

The third annual Welcome to Shilo dinner on Sept. 14 is not to be discounted, with the showcase of local vendors offering door prizes and in-store cost reductions to military personnel in L25 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Deployment and Special Events Coordinator Nicole Gamsyager of the Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) said the free barbeque dinner is open to all staff, individuals and families who are sure to have a fun evening.

“We have combined our Welcome to Shilo barbeque and our Military Family Appreciation Day [dinner] to include everyone,” Amanda Engram, marketing and promotions for FMRC, said.

“In the past, we’ve had a barbeque where we would welcome the newcomers and people who were just posted … so that they could mingle with new people,” she said.

Event participants can brush shoulders with local radio personalities at the Star FM Car, watch the 2PPCLI marching drum line perform, see a weapons display and hop on a light armoured vehicle (LAV) for a ride.

“If all works out, community members will be able to take a family photo in our photo booth,” Gamysager said, adding photos may be available on the night or may be emailed.

More than 368 people attended the last event, Gamsyager said. The MFRC hosts the hamburger dinner as part of their summer monthly military family appreciation program.

Local businesses and organizations offering incentives to military families, like a car dealership, realtor, paint supplier, RV merchant, health promotions, and many more, will hold information booths.

Manitoba Beef Producers donated the hamburgers, Gamsyager said. Dinner will be followed by cake donated by CANNEX and water provided by David Castellano.

More than 368 people attended the last event, Gamsyager said. The MFRC hosts the hamburger dinner as part of their summer monthly military family appreciation program.