Backyard Bash
Children were squealing with delight as they pranced and danced through the steady stream of foamy, eco-friendly bubbles generated by a bubble machine set up on a portion of lawn near the parking lot behind Building 90, the Fitness and Recreation Centre.
The bubble machine, provided by Fantastic Foam Parties, was one of the numerous activities available at the 17 Wing Backyard Bash on June 11.
“The bubbles go through a water filtration system, so they come out clean,” Jackie Hutchinson, owner of the Fantastic Foam Parties, said.
“They don’t stain or sting. The children can go right underneath them. It’s sensitive to the environment, too. It’s fun for the adults too.”
Food trucks were parked on the site too. Health Promotion provided free healthy snacks, a plain yogurt parfait with mixed fruit and granola. Inflatable bouncy castles, tattoos, face painting, balloon twisting (courtesy of Glitterbug Family Entertainment), a Kevlar axe throwing attraction, disc golf and a fun obstacle course rounded out the entertainment.
“There’s all kinds of fun activities for families,” said Ashley Clement, PSP Recreation Coordinator, OPI for the day.
“I’ve been working on it for over two months. We’re trying to have as many different activities and attractions as possible to make it as unique an experience as possible. I think it’s been great to see the numbers that have turned out so far.”
She also praised the “amazing” PSP staff for their work on the day.
“They’re always willing to jump in when needed,” Ms. Clement commented.
“They’re great. We couldn’t do this without them.”
Lieutenant-Colonel Carl Gravel, Deputy Wing Commader, called the bash an awesome day.
“We finally have some decent weather so we can finally celebrate the most welcome arrival of the summer with families,” he said while standing in the shade under one of the canopies covering a display table.
Some 200 families were registered for the event, with others just dropping by unannounced, noted Matt Hamilton.
Master Corporal Tammy Grant, who works at Barker College, and Sergeant Kevin St. Laurent, a technician at 402 Squadron, were there with their two children Felix, 8, and Ella, 7.
“The kids are enjoying the bubbles,” Sgt St- Laurent said as Felix and Ella were running in and out of the mound of spewing white bubbles.
“They’ve been in there for the last 25 minutes. There’s a lot of stuff for the kids.”
“It’s nice to see stuff like this after COVID,” MCpl Grant added.
“It’s good to see people out and about and doing activities like this again.”
Meanwhile, young Ella called the bubble machine “awesome” as she hugged her mother.
“It’s so nice to see children and parents out having fun and feeling this sense of community again,” said Rosalie Lazar, the owner of Glitterbug Family Entertainment.
She also emphasized that 17 Wing is “the best” because it’s such a nice, fun community to work with.
How true that is.