Duct Tape Boat Race to Highlight Community Health Day

Well, they say if you have some duct tape and WD-40, you can do just about anything. As far as the tape is concerned, we are about to find out.

The City of Texarkana, Ark., is partnering with several area health agencies to hold a Community Health Day on Nov. 7, 2015, at Bobby Ferguson Park. The event will promote a healthy, green community while tying together America Recycles Day and the Great American Smoke Out.

Activities for the day include the “Whatever Floats Your Boat” Duct Tape boat race, where tape and recycled materials will be fashioned into watercraft that, hopefully, will float their way to a prize. What materials are salvageable at the end of the event will be recovered and recycled. Boat race participants are encouraged to sign up early and get started building their boats.

A full list of rules and link to sign up are available at www.eventbrite.com by searching "Whatever Floats Your Boat Community Health Day."

Participants can enter the race in one of four categories and prizes will be awarded for spirit and originality, as well as the coveted Titanic Award for the most spectacular sinking. First responders and safety equipment will be on site and anyone wishing to participate in the boat race must bring their own personal flotation device and fill out the necessary registration forms. Each boat is required to have tethered flotation devices so that, in the event of sinking, the boats may be recovered.

A 5K race and the Cold Turkey Trot will also be held in an effort to discourage tobacco use. Pledges will be accepted for joining the Great American Smoke Out, the annual campaign by the American Cancer Society to eliminate tobacco use. Signup for the 5K is available at the same website.

Partnering agencies include UAMS South Prevention, Legacy Initiatives and the Texarkana, Ark., Recycling Center. DeAnna O’Malley, with the Miller-Bowie Hometown Health Initiative, is one of the event coordinators. She had the idea to use a boat race to encourage a healthier community after a friend entered one in Little Rock.

“She talked about the many boats that didn’t make it across the area and how much fun people had participating and just watching and I knew we needed something like that in Texarkana,” O’Malley said.

“Our county health rankings were just released. These rankings compare communities across the nation and although I love my city, it really hit home where we stand health wise,” she said. “I hope to use this event as a way to continue to raise awareness about what little things we each have the power to do to make our community healthier.”

For more information contact O’Malley at 870-331-2443.