Not only will the City of Weyburn celebrate its 100th birthday this year, the Salvation Army Corps is also celebrating 100 years in Weyburn. To commemorate their centennial year, Lieutenants Mike and Melissa Mailman of the Salvation Army will be hosting a block party for the entire community on June 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
"We're doing the block party because it's our 100th year," said Melissa Mailman, "and it's also Weyburn's Centennial, which is very cool."
The party will take place on Fourth Street between Coteau Avenue and Souris Avenue. There will, however, be space off of Souris Avenue for cars to enter the parking lot on the west side of Fourth Street.
"I spoke with Fire Chief Steve," said Mailman. "Not only are they bringing the fire truck but they're bringing the training trailer for the public to explore!"
"All the rescue vehicles are going to be there," she said. "The police cruiser will be here and their Razer will be here."
She noted that the ambulances will also be in attendance and the Salvation Army Community Response Vehicle will be coming down from Regina for the public to explore.
"It's what we drove around in during the flood, when we were handing out sandwiches and doing meals and that kind of thing," said Mailman.
Throughout the day, there will also be a trade show with approximately 30 vendors taking place in the basement of the Salvation Army church building.
The Thrift Store will be having a Sidewalk Sale that day as well.
"Everything on the table is a dollar, because we are focusing on 1-0-0, for the Centennial," she said. "Same with the barbeque, it will be a dollar for a pop or a dollar for a hot dog."
Members of the Weyburn Police Service will be in charge of the barbeque.
Mayor Button will be in attendance to help cut the Salvation Army Centennial cake that day at 1:30 p.m.
"The Weyburn Beavers are coming to help us out," she said. "They're going to be giving out Salvation Army tattoos, they'll have balloons, there is a fish pond, there's the ring toss, they're going to be running those fun things for us."
She noted that there will be sidewalk chalk and bubbles, as well as two bouncy houses on site for kids to jump to their hearts' content.
"It's going to have all the cool stuff kids like," noted Mike Mailman. "This is a give back, it's not a fundraiser. The only reason we're charging is kind of an organizational thing."
The event will also include a stage with live entertainment, including magician Richy Roy.
Although there will be plenty to do for kids of all ages, Melissa noted that tours of the food bank will also be scheduled throughout the day.
"I just want to shed light on what it is we're really about, what it looks like and maybe get some of those myths debunked about who uses the food bank and what is the actual process of that," she said.
"We really want to remain open and transparent," she added, "and part of that is seeing what we do and why we do it. Come in and ask questions."
