Gumboots to take over Yk
Annual rally celebrates 25 years with hopes to raise $25,000
Robin Grant
Northern News Services
Friday, April 28, 2017
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The annual Gumboot Rally is looking to raise boots full of cash.
Yellowknife Association for Community Living client Megan Williston hugs Steve Lacy of the band The Gumboots during the 2007 Gumboot Rally. The Gumboots performed at many of the earlier Gumboot Rallies. More live music is planned for tomorrow. - photo courtesy of the Yellowknife Association for Community Living |
In honour of its 25th anniversary, the Yellowknife Association for Community Living event is looking to raise $25,000.
The rally takes place tomorrow morning next to the Abe Miller Building at the corner of 52 Street and Franklin Avenue.
According to the association, the event will comprise of teams clad in funny costumes participating in contests such the boot toss and the boot bowl-a-thon. There will also be live music, magic shows and a barbecue.
Communications and administrative officer Daron Letts praised Yellowknife residents for coming together in support of the organization.
"Some of the biggest institutions we have in Yellowknife have come about because people gathered together to be creative and raise money," he said, mentioning the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre as an example. "People who cherish the theatre got together and built (the centre). We wouldn't have had it without that type of initiative."
The event's origins date back to an outdoor fundraiser organized 25 years ago, which was almost cancelled due to wet and muddy spring weather. Rubber boots, or gumboots, made the day possible.
So far, Letts said the association has raised $3,927 through online pledges, a process the organization is using for the first time this year.
All the funds support the services the organization offers, such as its skills training and community inclusion, family and children's services, supported independent living, employment services, and literacy outreach.
Member of the Hunter Boots team Paulina Ross said the event is a fun way to give back to the community. It is her first year participating.
"I think it is going to be fun getting all the teams together and dressing up and having a little competition with some fun games," she said.
As part of the rally, her team is doing a play on the popular brand, Hunter Boots - the team is dressing up as hunters. She said a few of her team members took part in previous years and inspired her to participate.
"All of us have graduated from university and come back home and want to give back to our community and support individuals with disabilities," she said.
"It's a fun event, and we thought why not? Everyone always has a great time."
Seuss-Mania team member Louise Boettger will be dressing up in red-and-white striped suits, the same iconic costume worn in the Doctor Seuss book Green Eggs and Ham, with the rest of her teammates.
"We like it because it is fun and it's an excellent time to met with friends and participate in good-natured fundraising," Boettger said. "It a very fun way of raising money for a good cause to help people out."
