A wild DIY raft race and water fight is happening in Edmonton this weekend

Edmonton sure has an affinity for the offbeat, which is why it’s no surprise that a race down the North Saskatchewan River in DIY rafts while fighting each other with water is a sport that has lasted for decades.

On Sunday, August 20, the 64th annual Edmonton Sourdough Raft Race will take place near Terwillegar Park. This wild event sees rafts of all shapes and sizes hit the river, such as this massive piece of Lego.

Sourdough Raft Race/Facebook

The history of the Sourdough Raft Race, according to its website, is also very “Edmonton.”

“Edmonton’s favourite water fight began in 1960 around a table full of beer where the boys from what was then known as Edmonton Power were swapping ideas for a weekend of fun,” it says.

That summer, 12 teams of raters gathered to begin the first Sourdough Raft Race. There were only two conditions: rafts had to be built from logs taken at the starting site, and each team’s entry fee was “one bottle of the finest.”

“A raft race from Devon to Edmonton, a distance of 20 miles, seemed worth a try.”

 

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The event exploded in the 1970s, attracting hundreds of entries annually, especially as it became synonymous with K-Days.

While times have changed, the race remains, and for those wanting to take part, a $10 entry fee gets you breakfast, a T-shirt, and a souvenir glass mug. In addition to prizes for winning the race, there’s a contest for the most creative design and a plaque for the craft that suffered the most damage or sank during the race, among other prizes.

If hitting the water isn’t something you dare, spectators are welcome to come and check out the action at Terwillegar Park, including a toonie pancake breakfast at 9 am.

Whether you’re a spectator or looking to take part on this day, this looks like a fun and hilarious way to spend a weekend outdoors, and the wacky and creative spirit of it all makes it a very uniquely Edmonton sport.

You can find more information about the race here.