Submitted by the Rotary Club of Huntsville
It’s Rotary Dockfest time again and this Saturday July 7, it promises to be bigger and better than ever.
The core of the festival is the Bathtub Derby with its zany antics, as motorized bathtubs navigate their way through a challenging course of obstacles trying to maintain balance and speed. Thirty-seven tubs will race for the hardware this year, promising some great competition.
Healthy competition aside, Dockfest is really about community engagement and raising some money for good causes. Event hosts, the Rotary Club of Huntsville, have indicated that significant donations will be made to support the planned inclusive playground to be built at Huntsville Public School.
While the Derby will be the main draw, Dockfest will have so much more to offer. From 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. members of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts (HFA) and staff from Camp Tawingo will combine to present Art Splash, an arts and crafts extravaganza for children of all ages. Paint a picture, make a craft or have your face painted by the talented Painted Kids team, a regular at Dockfest days.
Make sure to hit Main Street at 11 a.m. to see the Dockfest Parade. There are prizes for craziest float and it’s a great way to choose your favourite team before the races begin.
At noon the first heat sets off. In all there will be two full rounds of racing and an eventual winner will be crowned. Between-race entertainment will be provided by the flyboard guy. Races are normally over by 3 p.m. and everyone is invited back into River Mill Park to enjoy the great sounds of The Suspects, courtesy of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts.
All events are in the downtown, River Mill Park or the adjacent waterfront. There will be a food fair, featuring Bullock’s back bacon on a bun as well as other vendors, and Moose Delaney’s will once again present their outdoor bar. Principal event sponsor is, once again, Pipefusion Services Inc. and NyDock. In addition to cash support they provide numerous dock and water-related devices to allow the Derby course to be created.
The Rotary Club of Huntsville has been serving the community of Huntsville and area since 1934 and is part of the international organization of Rotary International who provide humanitarian service across the globe.
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Is there a prize for The Best Pipe and Drum Band leading the parade ? Should Be ! Enjoy .
A big shout-out to Nydock: After the incredibly unfair way in which they were treated regarding the Tom Thomson statue; they are truly amazing corporate citizens to volunteer their services and products yet again.