Brides to be can take advantage of some great wedding gown prices while helping the Barrie Salvation Army at the same time.

The Salvation Army is hosting its first bridal show March 11 at Alladin’s Banquet Hall in Barrie.

Thanks to a one-time donation of 40 new and floor model wedding dress and 20 prom, mother-of-the-bride and bridesmaid dresses, the Salvation Army is able to sell the designer gowns at discount prices.

“All these gowns will be going for below wholesale value,” said Major Roy Randell from the Salvation Army. “The dresses are great, it’s a good deal and it goes to a good cause.”

Local vendors, such as florists, wedding cake specialists, jewelry businesses and hair salons will also be on site for the event.

The bridal and other dresses are priced to sell, dresses that usually sell for $1,350 are marked down to $600.

All proceeds from the sale of the dresses will help send children to the Salvation Army’s two summer camps.

“We want to be able to send 50 kids to camp, and at $150 a kid it can add up,” said Randell. “These kids will get a week in Muskoka, camping, canoeing, sitting by the campfire, and everything else that comes with that camp experience.”

Bridal show organizer Wanda Tutt said the show is important to help the kids who deserve to go to camp.

“They will get an experience they will never forget,” she said. “Even now I have people come in here as adults and tell me about the great time they had as kids at the camps. These camps are fantastic.”

Tutt, along with other volunteers, has been busy sorting and pricing the dresses.

“You should see some of the bead work on these,” she said. “They are all designer gowns, too. There are quite a few Alfred Angelo gowns.”

Admission for the bridal show is free, but donations to the Salvation Army are always gladly accepted.

The show runs between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Mar. 11.

Alladin’s Banquet Hall is located at 41 Essa Rd in Barrie.