Patriot's Day event honors area soldiers

Some lucky soldier will win a fully paid wedding at the conclusion of the Patriot's Day Remembrance Weekend organized by a group of Carson City businesses.

Lori Bagwell of Charley's Grilled Subs said the event will be conducted Friday, Sept. 11 and Saturday, Sept. 12 at the Carson Mall.

"It's a remembrance weekend to thank our soldiers, that's what it's really all about," she said.

The event starts Friday night with a Red Shirt Memorial Walk starting at Carl's Jr. to thank those who have died in service to their country.

Saturday, Bagwell said, "is about helping the families of soldiers who are currently deployed."

That includes a number of fundraising events in the mall including the National Guard's Rock Climbing Wall, a collectibles bazaar and fashion show.

Not every activity costs, though. She said there will be free face painting and

a bounce house for the

kids.

The event will conclude with a drawing at 6 p.m. Saturday with the grand prize of several thousand dollars worth of donated goods and services to "get a soldier married." Bagwell said that includes the wedding dress, tuxedo, hair, nails, massages, champagne, cake, food, flowers and music.

"It's everything needed to get married," she said, adding that not only businesses in the mall but other Carson City businesses have donated to the cause.

The winner will be a soldier and his or her fiance who plan to get married in Carson City within a year.

The drawing will be followed by a raffle designed to raise money to provide the newlyweds with money for a honeymoon.

"We're hoping the community will come out and help us say thank you," she said.