The Ardmore Parent Advisory Association is getting ready for one of the Lakeland’s biggest annual events this Sunday.
The Ardmore Duck Race is now in its 26th year of people buying a rubber duck and then racing it down the Beaver River for prizes. First place this year gets a spring free trampoline, second a paddle board package, third a barbecue package, fourth a thousand dollar fuel voucher from Northern Lights Truck Stop and 5th an iPad with a case. The event raises money for the Association which goes into the local school.
There’s lots more going on than just the race itself though, there will be both a prize and 50/50 raffle, concession, free kids crafts, face painting, sparkle tattoos and games.
There’s one activity in particular that will get Ardmore School students’ attention.
“You can even get the chance to dunk [me]” says Principle Ken Pyshyk. “Last year that went so well I said ‘Well I’ll want to come in my regular work clothes; so there’s going to be a tie, dress pants and dress shirt. I said the target’s got to be moved a little bit further back but they can try and dunk me!”
Pyshyk says the Duck Race is an indispensable part of making the school function as well as it does.
“They [The Ardmore Parent Advisory Association] are able to pay for so many different activties that the students wouldn’t be otherwise able to experience. For example, swimming lessons. All our students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 take swimming lessons. They cover the costs of transportation and lessons for every kid. That’s huge, that one event right there. They also help us with classroom supplies. They were able to give every teacher some money for those little things you might need, whether it be some Kleenex or some prizes for a classroom activity. It really helps out the school in so many ways so that the money I get from the Alberta Government can help pay for other big ticket items.”
Activities start at 12 at the Beaver River Bridge with the race itself getting underway at 1.