FORT SILL, Okla.-- They came for the chocolate fountain, or at least Stephanie Legue did.
She was one of the 565 people who attended the sixth annual spouses' appreciation night co-hosted by the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation and the Main Exchange. The event, named Spouse-a-Palooza, took place April 28 at the food court of the Main Exchange.
Military spouses who attended visited more than 30 vendors, tasted the culinary skills of Ted's Cafe Escondido, snacked on sandwiches from Subway, and sampled wines and sake all for free.
Monica Wood, FMWR publicity assistant, said the goal of the event was to recognize the value of spouses and their contributions here.
"(Spouse-a-Palooza) was part of military spouses' appreciation day, which is on May 8," she said. "We were a few days early but we wanted to make sure military spouses, men and women both, had an opportunity to feel special. We wanted to pamper them and give them all the things they might not get to do each day while they are working, taking care of the kids or the many things that they do."
Legue attended the event with other spouses including Rachel Sours who said she enjoyed coming as a way to remind herself that it's OK to spoil herself a little bit.
"Things like this can force you to prioritize yourself," Sours said. "If you want to go then you mark it on the calendar and get registered. Sometimes weeks and months go by where you are focusing on your family and you don't realize you haven't done anything for yourself. This makes making time for you a priority. You can leave the kids at home and go out with some other spouses and just enjoy yourself."
This year's event gave away more than $600 in gift cards, prizes from vendors and a television. It also featured a Dance Dance Revolution station, karaoke, a fashion show (with men and women's fashion), massages and other activities aimed at men and women. Or attendees could simply sit back and enjoy the chocolate fountain, which was catered by the Patriot Club.
"I didn't really come for the chocolate fountain," Legue said, "but it was a big part."
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