Great prizes, fun, games and - above all - LOTSA MUD are all guaranteed for this weekend, as Port Clements prepares to host its annual Canada Days bash.
Organizer Lisa Gyorgy said everything is "pulling together nicely," for the big celebration, which will feature a souped-up Mud Bog track and a high-stakes ball tournament.
As for the organizers and Port Clements residents? "Everybody's pretty excited," said Ms Gyorgy. "The kids are REALLY excited."
The big focus for this year is for it to be a holiday for the kids, she said, and indeed, there are many great activities for the young 'uns throughout the weekend, starting with the kids' fishing derby on Friday afternoon. Friday is also your chance to put the finishing touches on your bike-decorating masterpiece, as the bike rally begins on Saturday morning at 10:30 am.
Ms Gyorgy said that she expects the slo-pitch tournament (beginning on Saturday at 10 am) to be the best ever. "There are teams entered that we've never seen before!" she said. The teams, from all over the islands, will be fiercely competing for the $1,000 cash prize - so go and cheer on your friends (or whoever is more likely to buy you an ice-cream!)
Back by popular demand is the fireworks, sponsored this year by the Masset Fire Department. This is the first time in five or six years that the fireworks have happened, said Ms Gyorgy, and it should be great. They will begin at 10:30 pm Saturday night.
But even with all these fantastic attractions, the highlight of the weekend is hands-down the Sunday afternoon Mud Bog, the much anticipated mud-racing extravaganza.
When asked if he looks forward to the Mud Bog, one organizer, Kirk Thorgeirson, simply said, "Oh, yeah." It's been going on now for 17 or 18 years, he said, and always draws a big crowd.
New this year is a $1,000 prize, which Mr. Thorgeirson hopes will help "wake up the spirit," of mud-bog championship hopefuls all over the islands. A different race course and the switch to 'head to head' round-robin style races should add to the excitement, he said.
In addition to the cash prize, there is also a truck radio being offered as a prize, said Ms Gyorgy.
"Canada Days is always a great event," said Mr. Thorgeirson, "people in Port are such strong, community-minded people."
And with a little luck, the weekend's weather will be just like last weekend's! Don't miss this great event. (See Islands this Week for a complete schedule.)