The call is out for businesses, service clubs, families and friends to join in on the fun in February as Cary Medical Center and the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department host the Crazy Caribou Games as part of Caribou’s month-long winter carnival and Cary’s Healthy You Program.
Kathy Mazzuchelli, superintendent of Parks and Recreation, has indicated that the whole point of the games is to get the “non-spandex” crowd out for some fun and exercise.
Mazzuchelli noted there will be four events offered during the month of February. The events will include: broomball, canoe races, outhouse races and a couch potato biathlon. There can be up to 10 members per team participating in these events and each team must compete in three of the four events. Not every team member has to participate in each event, but do have to be pre-registered as part of the team prior to the first event the team chooses to participate in. Divisions for competition include: Service Club, Municipal, Family, Business, School (under 18) and Open.
To take the stress out of the competition, teams awarded the Crazy Caribou Games Award at the end of the month will accumulate points based on the creativeness of their team uniforms, the uniqueness of their team cheer and — for just participating.
“Of course, there will be awards for the winning teams at each event,” said Mazzchelli, “but the point of the Crazy Caribou Games award is to celebrate participation and fun.” Cary Medical Center will also be awarding door prizes and snacks at each event.
Broomball will be the first event, scheduled to be held on Wednesday, Feb. 2, beginning at 6 p.m. at Teague Park. No special skills are required and participants will be allowed to use ice grippers on their footwear to participate. All equipment will be provided by the Parks and Recreation Department.
On Wednesday, Feb. 9, the second event, canoe races, will begin at 6 p.m. at Teague Park. This competition will require four persons per canoe, two riding and two pushing. For those in the over 19 years of age division, at the half way mark, the players must switch positions, (the two riding will push and the two pushing will get to ride to the finish). As stated, all equipment will be provided by the Parks and Recreation Department.
The third event, featuring the revival of a very popular event — the outhouse race — is slated for Wednesday, Feb. 16, at 6 p.m. in Teague Park. Five team members will be involved in this event with one riding and four pushing the structure. Outhouses will be provided by the Parks and Recreation Department, but teams will be allowed to fabricate their own. Regulations are available at the Parks and Recreation office.
The Couch Potato Biathlon, is the fourth and final event of the Crazy Caribou Games and will be held under a full moon at Teague Park following ski sprints on Friday, Feb.18 at 6 p.m. This event will feature a short snowshoe course and the launching of potatoes at targets for accuracy. In this event four team members will compete for the “top spud” award.
Anyone interested in participating in the Crazy Caribou Games should contact the Caribou Parks and Recreation office at 493-4224 or stop by the 55 Bennett Drive office to pick up rules and regulations.
The Crazy Caribou Team Award will be announced by local media on Monday, Feb. 28 with awards presented by Cary Medical Center and Parks and Recreation personnel.
