The 2023 Borden Blast saw an outstanding turnout this year with more prize giveaways than ever before!
The gorgeous late September sunshine lit up the faces of local community members at the 2023 Borden Blast, spanning from the front of the Buell Gym to the baseball diamonds and filled with refreshments, military vehicles, bouncy castles, animals and much more!
The daytime portion of the Borden Blast lasted between 1000 and 1430 hrs and Base Commander Colonel Michaud was in attendance to draw prizes at the end of the day.
“Today is about celebrating as a community, the members and the families that are joining us,” said Col Michaud. “The formation chief and I want to take a moment to express our sincere appreciation for everything that you do. It has been a wonderful year and I want to thank you on behalf of our command teams for everything you do every day.”
The prize draw included a Peleton Bike and Treadmill, Ultimate Dining Cards, Toys R Us Gift Cards, Sobey’s Gift Cards, $200 to Ripley’s Aquarium, $250 to Scandinavian Spa Blue Mountain and $1000 dollars to Great Wolf Lodge. CANEX donated two $50 dollar gift cards and Maidens Family Auto Care donated four $50 oil change vouchers.
“Today we’re celebrating your participation, your involvement as well as that of your family,” said Col Michaud. “It was once said to me that, ‘If you think being a soldier, a sailor or an aviator is tough… try loving one’.”
To thank the community members and their families for their continued efforts and sacrifice the Borden Blast was presented by sponsor and official bank of the Canadian Military, Bank of Montreal (BMO) and supported by partners from corporate and bilingual services.
This year featured various attractions such as bouncy castles, food trucks, a petting zoo and G-Wagon tours of CFB Borden.
Bouncy castles of various shapes and sizes were inflated within each baseball diamond and living in between them were food vendors such as Montana’s, Smoke’s Poutinerie and an ice cream truck.
Along the main pathway, dozens of families stopped to say hello to an array of petting zoo animals like alpaca, goats, sheep, ducks, hamsters and bunny rabbits.
Adjacent to the Buell Gym is where military vehicles of all varieties where parked for members and their families to climb inside or get a ride around the base in a G-Wagon.
After-hours, a concert featuring The Tragically Hip cover band, “The Hip Experience”, had over 300 people in attendance and went on between 1900 and 2230 hrs.
On behalf of PSP and the Borden Blast organizers, we want to thank all of the local units and departments that came out this year to connect with the CAF community. Another big thank you to BMO for being the presenting sponsor of this year’s celebration.
We look forward to seeing all who attended at next year’s Borden Blast!
By: Caleb Hooper
