The third annual Bearberry Duck Race fundraiser for the Sundre Aquaplex has several new features this year.
"We introduced a co-ed strong man competition," said Verna McFadden, a board director.
Teams of four will compete against one another on timed events in running, swimming as well as cycling with the added twist of a challenging finale, she said.
"Then, they pull a car across the parking lot at the Aquaplex!"
To encourage youth participation, organizers also lined up a competition to name a three-foot stuffed duck. Children will have an opportunity to write down their own names along with a suggested moniker for the big duck, and several residents from the Sundre Seniors Supportive Living centre will then decide on a winner, who will be presented with tickets to the Innisfail zoo, she said.
Also new this year will be the Sundre's Got Talent show, a pulled pork plate pre-sold ticket event that will be held at the West Country Centre starting at about 3 p.m., following the race that will see 500 pre-sold floating ducks meander down the creek. Volunteers will later recover every last one.
During the intermission between those two events, McFadden said there would also be a pie auction challenging residents to outbid Wildrose Leader Brian Jean as well as the riding's MLA Jason Nixon. Additionally, a silent auction has been underway at the Aquaplex since mid-June with 62 items available to the highest bidders.
"There's some beautiful stuff there" donated from people and businesses in the region including Sundre, Olds, Water Valley and Cremona, she said, adding that sponsors and supporters "have been super good to us."
Final bids will be accepted until 4 p.m. on race day, she said.
"It's worth a stroll down there to have a look."
Organizers had wanted to add some new elements to make the annual event more interesting, and the effort snowballed from there into several additional ideas that could become mainstays, although the society will continue to consider introducing new concepts in the future, she said.
Returning this year will be the traditional duck poop bingo, and McFadden hopes conditions will be just right for the duck race itself, which last year was cancelled and substituted with a dunk tank because the Bearberry Creek's flow was too great to ensure safety.
"We want the creek to ride and the weather to be nice and hot!"
The event, which is organized by the Sundre and District Aquatic Society, takes place this Saturday afternoon with the race scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.
The Aquaplex is doing well, with the society recently rolling out its summer swimming lesson programs and the gym remaining "super busy," said McFadden.
Funds raised during the duck race will be allocated towards the purchase of a new $43,000 fibreglass waterslide for children, she said.
"Kids love those slides."
The society is additionally setting money aside to repair the pool's deck, she said.
"That's about a $70,000 touch."
Also on the society's project to-do list are plans to work on bringing back a lift to help low mobility residents into and out of the pool, she said.
The non-profit organization is always looking for new volunteers, and anyone who would like to get involved is encouraged to contact the pool's manager Leslie Turgeon at 403-638-9370, who can also be reached to obtain tickets for the talent show. Alternatively, McFadden said she could be called at 403-507-3769, or that Joanne Reese ó 403-638-9898 at home or by cell at 403-507-3554 ó can also help.
