Advertisement The event, in its sixth year for canoe/kayak races and third year for the bike races, benefits two causes: the Brice Prairie First Responders and the Friends of Brice Prairie Conservation Fund.
As part of the organization’s conservation efforts, two community volunteers — a corporate and an individual or couple — will be recognized by the Friends by having a tree planted in their names.
Gretchen Johnson, the coordinator of the bike races said she hopes this year’s event will raise enough money to start a scholarship fund for local students who give their time and efforts to community causes. The Friends’ organization also hopes to use proceeds to continue beautifying the Swarthout Park, ground zero for the festivities.
Johnson said the event costs add up to about $9,000 and sponsors have really stepped up this year. She is encouraged most of the proceeds from race participants and sales of refreshments and raffle tickets should go directly to the two causes.
While donations and sponsorships have helped defray costs, musical entertainment is being donated by area residents. Deejay Steve Michaels of Music Mix will provide musical entertainment from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Three Legged Marley, a mellow jazz group, will entertain at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Five prizes will be raffled. A $1,500 racing bike donated by Bikes Limited is the grand prize. Second prize is a $500 biking package that includes a Garmin GPS and heart rate monitoring device donated by Brones Bike Shop. The third prize is a $300 package donated by River Trail Cycles and Bianchi USA. River Trail Cycles also donated four bikes to be given away to elementary-school-aged children.
Raffle tickets are $5 per ticket or five for $20, and winners need not be present.
This year’s festivities start Friday night from 5 to 8 p.m. with a spaghetti dinner to give racers the carbohydrate boost they need. It’s also a chance for racers to beat the crowds and pick up their registration packets. The dinner is not just for the racers, though; anyone can enjoy the all-you-can-eat meal for $7 at Swarthout Park.
Activities start at sunrise on Saturday with a leisurely guided 2 1/2-hour canoe/kayak trip starting at 6:30 a.m. For a donation of $5, paddlers will leave from Lytle’s Landing and travel downstream while enjoying Marc Schultz’s narrations about the natural habitat, the waterfowl, plant life and other hidden treasures.
Back at Swarthout Park, the 40K bike race starts at 9 a.m. Last year, 132 racers from Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota took part.
Race organizers expect about 200 racers to peddle the recently repaved route this year. Race registration starts Friday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday morning from 7 a.m. until race time. The late entry fee is $35.
Race winners, who receive jerseys and framed certificates, will be announced at the 1 p.m. awards ceremony. Raffle winners will be announced then as well. Door prize winners must be present to win.
Immediately after the mandatory rules and regulation meeting at 1 p.m., canoe and kayak racers will hit the water. The 2-mile canoe race and 4-mile kayak race will be in timed heats starting at three-minute intervals with five craft in each group.
Registration for the canoe/kayak races is $30 per participant. Registration begins at 11:30 Saturday morning and continues until 1 p.m. Early registrants can request canoes and paddles, but every participant must bring their own personal flotation device.
Each canoe/kayak race participant will receive a meal ticket for the luncheon that includes either pulled pork or chicken sandwiches donated by Emma’s Diner on Brice Prairie. Spectators can purchase the meal tickets for $8 or can buy individual items such as hot dogs, chips and beverages, etc. on a cash basis.
AT A GLANCE
6:30 a.m. — sunrise paddle, starting at Lytle’s Landing
9 a.m. — 40K bike race
1 p.m. — 2-mile canoe race; 4-mile canoe/kayak race
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