By Airman 1st Class Dillon White, 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
/ Published July 30, 2007
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- More than 2,500 people attended this year's "Cruisin the Summer" base picnic at Sun Plaza Park Friday. The 341st Services Squadron hosted the event and offered free food and drink, games, a car show and a four-wheeler giveaway.
The 341st SVS put on a huge spread and everyone loaded their plates with free burgers, brats, salad, chips and cookies. Ice-cold soda, water, ice cream cups and snow cones were free for the taking, as well.
More than 1,000 brats; 1,400 hot dogs; 2,400 burgers; 440 pounds of potato and macaroni salad; and 3,000 cookies were enjoyed by picnic-goers.
"I liked the cookies, but I didn't like the mustard. It was hot," said Little Warrior Dominique, 5.
Dominique was not the only one who vouched for the food.
"I liked the free snow cones and the burgers were delectable," said Senior Airman Johnny Mosquera, 341st Medical Operations Squadron bioenvironmental engineer. Airman Mosquera was in charge of monitoring the temperature during the picnic, which reached the 100 degrees Fahrenheit mark.
Heat was also on the minds of the fire department as they sent an arc of cool water into the air, where people were seen cooling off during the entire event.
Senior Master Sgt. Jerry Hanes, 341st Missile Security Forces Squadron first sergeant, was cooling off in the dunk tank. This was not his first time in a dunk tank, but it was his first time taking the plunge at Malmstrom. The event was held to help raise money for the annual Air Force Ball to be held in September. Proceeds will be used to reduce the cost to Airmen for their ticket prices.
"After the first [dunk] it isn't so bad," Sergeant Hanes said, after a little warrior donated $5 and submerged him by pressing the dunk button.
On the other side of the picnic area from the dunk tank, the Grizzly Challenge Competition tested the might of contestants in four different events. They included the tire-flip, farmers walk, kettle toss and four-wheeler hold.
Winner of the women's lightweight division was Airman 1st Class Eleanor Fyler, 341st SVS; second place was Airman 1st Class Cha Leonard, 341st SVS; and Tech. Sgt Yasmine Redmond, 341st Logistics Readiness Squadron, took first in the women's heavyweight division.
Airman 1st Class Tyler Prince, 341st Security Forces Group Tactical Response Force, clenched first place beating out second place finisher Senior Airman Phillip Amsden, 819th RED HORSE Squadron, in the lightweight division.
The 341st SFG TRF brought home all top three finishes in the heavyweight division. The winners were Staff Sergeant Clayton Thomas, first place; Senior Airman Jeremy Thatcher, second place; and Airman 1st Class Kristopher Campbell, third place.
A new event this year was a car show and 28 vehicles were lined up on the grass near the park for people to admire. Sports cars, muscle cars, low riders, street rods, classics and 4x4's were all on display. The People's Choice Award went to a 1970 Oldsmobile 442 owned by Bennie DeMott, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron.
Karaoke, as always, was offered and more participants gave it a whirl. Musical talent it could be heard all over the park.
But the high-light of the day was the drawing for the "Cruisin the Summer" grand prize - a 2007 Yamaha-Big-Bear four-wheeler.
Tech. Sgt. Robert Pierce, 341st Medical Operations Squadron dental technician, won it after his entry card was pulled from more than 700 contest entries.
"It only takes one [entry]," Sergeant Pierce said.
Other activities offered throughout the day included a paint-ball target practice booth, tricycle races and a myriad of youth activities.
"It was a fantastic showing," said Staci Corder, 341st SVS marketing and publicity director. "It's a great chance for families to come out and enjoy free games and food.
We always try to add events and next year's base picnic should be bigger and better than this year's," Ms. Corder said.