Suddenly I'm an Expert . .
. . . an expert on "Minnow Racing".
The kids' school is hosting a fundraiser, and someone suggested minnow races. The person tasked with the minnow race activity asked the Hobbled Wife if she knew anything about such races. I was tapped to provide some expert advice.
Here's the extent of my email - in case you find yourself in a similar situation.
The most important piece (in my opinion) is the "starting gate". The race I witnessed in Vergas, MN used a long stick with wooden blocking devices attached to the stick. The blocking devices are attached to the stick so as to line up with the gutters - you lift the stick up and all the minnows are released at the same time. I could draw a picture if that doesn't make sense.
This PTA site has a description - but no pictures. I think they used goldfish, then gave them to the winners!
To build the racetrack for this fundraiser, you must first acquire two 10-foot-long rain gutters. In a gymnasium or cafeteria, place the gutters side by side. Then cap the ends and fill the gutters with water. A goldfish (or minnow) is placed in each gutter and held at one end with a removable gutter-shaped gate. Each contestant uses a straw to blow into the water behind the fish to encourage the fish to swim to the other end of the gutters. The contestant whose fish reaches the other end first wins. The winner gets to keep his or her fish. Charge $1 per entry. Increase your profits by selling small goldfish bowls (assuming you're able to get a supply at a substantial discount). Arrange ahead of time to return any leftover fish or bowls to your suppliers or your local pet or hobby store, or sell the fish and bowls at a reduced price at the end of the day. Make sure the gutters are properly braced so they don't turn over. Use narrow tables that allow contestants to gauge the fish's progress. If you expect sufficient crowds, set up several gutters so more contestants can participate in each race.
I also found this rather limited site, it has a great name and nice picture of the race "course".
The kids' school is hosting a fundraiser, and someone suggested minnow races. The person tasked with the minnow race activity asked the Hobbled Wife if she knew anything about such races. I was tapped to provide some expert advice.
Here's the extent of my email - in case you find yourself in a similar situation.
The most important piece (in my opinion) is the "starting gate". The race I witnessed in Vergas, MN used a long stick with wooden blocking devices attached to the stick. The blocking devices are attached to the stick so as to line up with the gutters - you lift the stick up and all the minnows are released at the same time. I could draw a picture if that doesn't make sense.
This PTA site has a description - but no pictures. I think they used goldfish, then gave them to the winners!
To build the racetrack for this fundraiser, you must first acquire two 10-foot-long rain gutters. In a gymnasium or cafeteria, place the gutters side by side. Then cap the ends and fill the gutters with water. A goldfish (or minnow) is placed in each gutter and held at one end with a removable gutter-shaped gate. Each contestant uses a straw to blow into the water behind the fish to encourage the fish to swim to the other end of the gutters. The contestant whose fish reaches the other end first wins. The winner gets to keep his or her fish. Charge $1 per entry. Increase your profits by selling small goldfish bowls (assuming you're able to get a supply at a substantial discount). Arrange ahead of time to return any leftover fish or bowls to your suppliers or your local pet or hobby store, or sell the fish and bowls at a reduced price at the end of the day. Make sure the gutters are properly braced so they don't turn over. Use narrow tables that allow contestants to gauge the fish's progress. If you expect sufficient crowds, set up several gutters so more contestants can participate in each race.
I also found this rather limited site, it has a great name and nice picture of the race "course".
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