The 14th Annual Volkswagen Turtle River Race was the most successful in the history of the event on Sunday.
The event was 96 per cent sold out, said organizer Terry Lowe.
“This is the best-selling year we’ve ever had in the 14 year history,” Lowe said. “We didn’t quite get to a sell-out, but we were so close. Once all the costs are covered, every dollar of every turtle sold goes to the youth programs at Western Canada Theatre.”
Lowe estimates the proceeds from this year’s event could exceed $28,000. The official number is expected to be finalized by early next week.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “Last year we hit the quarter million dollar mark, so now we have the next goal of when we get to a half million dollars. We’ve been doing this for so long and it’s always about the kids.”
The race is an alternative way of choosing a raffle winner. Instead of a ticket draw, 4,000 numbered turtles race down the river to a finish line.
“It’s a fun day. People can come down and cheer the turtles on. You see this green hue coming down the river, and it’s a fun environment with lots of games,” Lowe said.
Two races of 2,000 plastic turtles floated down the South Thompson River from the Yacht club to Pioneer Park on Sunday afternoon. The first, second, and third place turtles in each race won prizes, and all of the prizes were donated.
The proceeds from the fundraiser go to the Western Canada Theatre Company’s youth programs, such as the Stage One Theatre School and student matinee program.
“The Stage One classes are a suite of classes we are able to offer. They start as early as age three and go right up to 18,” said Lori Marchand, General Manager of Western Canada Theatre. “We’ve recently added a production class in musical theatre and we try to keep them affordable.”
Marchand estimates that over 10,000 youth in Kamloops and the surrounding region benefit from WCT’s youth programs each year.
“It’s where the company started. It’s what we’ve been all about since day one,” she said. “Growing out of the company that started with a troupe of high school students, keeping those opportunities available for the young performers is really important to us.”
Western Canada Theatre is celebrating its 40th year of production in Kamloops this season.
For more information about the youth programs or for upcoming shows, visit the Western Canada Theatre website.
For more information about the event, visit the Volkswagen Turtle River Race website.
