Duct tape keeps KUAC Red Green Regatta afloat

Submitted by Tammy Tragis
Phone: (907) 474-1890
07/20/07

Fairbanks, Alaska--Fairbanks residents searching for duct tape this weekend may find it in short supply as KUAC holds its 11th annual Red Green Regatta on Sunday, July 22. The regatta begins at the Graehl Park boat launch and ends at Pioneer Park. The public can view the regatta from the Wendell and Cushman Street bridges and along First Avenue.

Celebrity judges will score this year’s watercraft based on their designers’ innovative use of the handyman’s secret weapon (duct tape), imagination and integration of the Red Green theme. Entrants vie for water-worthy prizes supplied by Compeau’s. Winners and special awards, including "Best Viewed at a Distance," will be announced at 1 p.m. in the Native Village in Pioneer Park. This year’s judges include John Binkley, Dermot Cole, Jo Heckman, Patty Kastelic, Lanien Livingston and Dr. Phyllis Pendergrast.

The regatta is a celebration of "The Red Green Show," a unique comedy series that airs Saturday nights from 8-9 p.m. and Sundays at 11:30 p.m. on AlaskaOne.

"Duct tape and blue tarps are the mainstay of Alaska ingenuity, so the Red Green Regatta is a perfect opportunity for Fairbanksans to show their creativity and imagination," says KUAC-TV programming director Claudia Clark. "Alaska viewers love their Red Green and they definitely know the kind of humor spectators and fellow viewers will like. We already know the themes of a couple of this year’s entries--’Alien Abduction’ and ’The Skinny Dip.’ I can’t wait to see those crazy crafts."

Check-in and registration begins at 10 a.m. and the event kicks off at 11 a.m. The registration fee is $30 per vessel, which includes an official t-shirt designed by local Nuggets artist Jamie Smith. Additional T-shirts are available at the regatta for $15 each or three for $40.

Official rules, prize information and registration forms are available at www.kuac.org. For more information call (907) 474-7491.