Edmonton Garrison opens its doors on Canada Day
02 July 2010 | 
Author: Professor |
By Thandiwe Vela Edmonton Journal.com 01 July, 2010
EDMONTON — Frolicking children replaced soldiers in military tanks at the Edmonton Garrison Thursday, as the army base opened their Canada Day celebrations to the public for the first time.
With no shortage of festivities across the city on Canada’s 143rd birthday, people showed up in droves to celebrate with the military and civilian families of Canadian Forces Base Edmonton.
“It’s a wonderful thing, spending Canada Day with the people serving our country, helping keep us safe,” Peggy Enns said, getting a slice of the giant Canada Day cake with her friend Ed Bobinsky.
CF18s flew over more than 10,000 people at the event as they had Canadian flags painted on their cheeks, checked out the car and motorcycle displays, and enjoyed other family activities and musical performances from the mainstage.
It was the first time being on the heavily secured CFB Edmonton base for Enns and many others.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for people in the capital region to come on base and see what we do,” Lt. Col. Tom Bradly said.
The expansion of this year’s Garrison celebration, which included a full 750-pound bison barbecue, headlining performance by Jefferson Starship and a 12-minute fireworks finale, was a welcome change for Maj. Tim Tattare, celebrating with his wife Tracy and daughters Chelsey, 16, and Holly, 21.
“It feels great having all these people here, supporting us,” Tattare said. “That’s what gives soldiers the ability to do what they have to do every day.”
The Edmonton Garrison is the only base in the country that has opened its Canada Day celebration to the public, organizers say, and not all of the almost 5,000 military and civilian families were at ease with the plan.
“I was a little leery about inviting everyone in,” base resident Kimberley Thomson said. “But I’ve warmed up to the idea now, seeing all the smiles and hearing people talk.”
Organizers saw little security concerns when the Chamber of Commerce brought the idea of inviting the public to celebrate on the base.
“It’s about us wanting to share our country’s birthday with those men and women who protect us,” Keith Persaud, event organizer and vice-president of the Edmonton World Trade Centre, said.
Doug Faulkner, the former mayor of Fort McMurray, was also happy for the opportunity to celebrate with the troops.
“I’m proud of our military guys and girls,” Faulkner said, posing for a photograph with two soldiers. “The commitment they have to our country and peacekeeping is unbelievable.”
Measuring more than 2,500 hectares of total space, all the elbow room at the Garrison was the best part for Stacy Parr, 25, who brought her nephew for the event.
“Everything’s spaced out as opposed to other festivals,” Parr said. “It’s awesome, especially for the kids.”
All proceeds from the event go to the Garrison’s military family resource centre and Bradly says the public will be welcomed back to the base next Canada Day too.
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