Garrison Petawawa Family Day was held once more on Sept. 8 on the fields of Dundonald Hall. Different activities have been added over the years, most recently the Colour Run, which saw 600 people run or walk two or five kms around the Garrison while being pelted by clouds of paint. Other family-friendly activities included static and interactive military displays, games, live entertainment, free refreshments, a kiddie commando course, the MasoniChIP Child Identification Program, a petting zoo, bouncy castles, face painting as well as information booths. Throwing such a massive event required an army of volunteers and staff including the Department of National Defence employees, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, Personnel Support Programs (PSP) and Petawawa Military Resource Centre (PMFRC) representatives as well as other local organizations and groups to make it a success.
Click on an image to enlarge. Photos by Patricia Leboeuf, Petawawa Post.
Bryce McKee, 7, may have gotten to the finish line with in good time, but actually crossing it was a challenge. As part of the Colour Run, a pile of sparkly bubbles was added near the end. It acted as a distraction for most of the younger runners, who preferred to spend their time playing in the suds than they did running.
Saxton Tucker, 8, enjoys a piece of cake. As the first one in line, he was given the biggest one.
An official cake cutting was held for Family Day. From left, are CANEX General Manager Gerald Doner, 4th Canadian Division Support Base Petawawa Operations Services (4 CDSB Ops Svcs) Regimental Sergeant Major Chief Warrant Officer Lindsay Parsons, Cook Master Corporal Julian Dafonseca, 4 CDSB Ops Svcs Commander Lieutenant Colonel Joe Hartson and Senior Manager PSP Nathan Lane.
With so many military vehicles and equipment on display, Andrew Nichols, 7, quickly made his way to the roof of an armoured humvee and experimented with the mounted .50 cal. gun.
Malec and Maverick Parent-Tremblay dine on hot dogs and cupcakes. PSP staff and CANEX provided some yummy treats for festival-goers.
Brayden Marshall, 11, wears a gilly suit as he peers through the C-14 MRSW 338 timberwolf.
Under the watchful gaze of her mother and 1 Canadian Field Hospital personnel, Lyra Hughes, 2, performs very careful surgery. As well as teaching visitors how to heal any boo-boos, members gave out bears to the children who came to visit their surgical tent.
Vera Patriquin, 1 ½, hides in the PMFRC’s sensory tent.