Victory will be sweet for the unit that wins the competition for best informational display at Jackson Jubilee/Directorate of Emergency Services Night Out on Friday afternoon -- but, perhaps, not as sweet as it was last year.
That's when the 193rd Brigade's Family Readiness Group won the day with chocolate, an idea that originated with the brigade commander's wife.
Col. Milton Beagle already has proclaimed his unit will win the $150 prize for attendance again this year, as well the trophy for best display.
"I meant to tell them (after the double wins), 'Hey, let's just keep doing the same thing over and over,'" said Marilynn Bailey, event organizer and Army volunteer coordinator. Though other units mounted grand displays, she said, the chocolate was tough to beat.
Jackson Jubilee/DES Night Out isn't intended to be an afternoon of noshing, although some of the organizations and businesses who attend will provide food. The commissary will encore its make-it-yourself sundae display, for example, and other displays promise pizza and candy.
Instead, the event is meant to showcase on- and off-post organizations, primarily so newcomers will get to know their family-readiness contacts before an emergency occurs.
The day will include children's entertainment and will take place from 3-6 p.m., both inside and outside the Solomon Center. The timing is intended to make it easy for people on and off post to attend in time to start their weekends. Nine hundred people attended last year's event, Bailey said.
Inside, guests may register for door prizes and tour displays by about five dozen agencies and organizations -- including the 193rd Brigade, whose display this year "will be a little different," promised Maj. Yovana Cardenas.
(But perhaps not that different. Cardenas hinted that cupcakes would be involved.)
Outside, members of Fort Jackson's and the Columbia community's emergency services will provide demonstrations outside the Solomon Center -- information on car seat safety, a fire truck and a costumed Sparky the Fire Dog, demonstrations of what happens when one drives drunk, and a sheriff's patrol car.
Demonstrations by law-enforcing K-9s will take place at 4 and 5 p.m., said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Evans of DES.
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