Flooding moves Geneva boat race

Yet another activity is affected -- but not drowned -- by the Fox River flooding in Geneva.

The Sept. 15 Mighty Viking Boat Race, a fundraiser for the Geneva Academic Foundation, is being relocated from a soggy, still partially submerged Island Park to Wheeler Park on Route 31 at Stevens Street.

Considering there isn't so much as a wading pool in Wheeler Park, how will the miniature rubber boats float?

They won't.

"We kind of had to dry-dock the boats due to the flooding," event chairwoman Wendy Horton said.

Instead, race entries will be drawn from a spinning drum.

A boat race entry is $5 apiece, or $20 for five boats. Prizes are merchandise from local stores, including a piece of jewelry from State Street Jewelers.

It isn't quite as fun as dropping rubber boats off the State Street bridge and catching them at Island Park, but it will still have some of the competitive excitement.

"Somebody has to come in first," Horton said.

There is also a raffle for $10 per ticket. The grand raffle prize is a 42-inch plasma high-definition television set; second is $1,000; and third is $500. You have to be at least 18 to enter.

There will be food, music, games and a silent auction, too. The party is from 1 to 4 p.m.

Horton had hoped the event could still be held at Island Park, but parks officials are worried the park won't be in shape for use by a crowd after the water recedes.

"They were kind enough to offer Wheeler Park," she said.

The foundation gave $56,000 last year to Geneva public schools for unbudgeted supplies and programs, such as extra computers, reading program materials, theatrical performances and computerized sewing machines.

Tickets are available at the school district's Web Store at geneva.revtrak.net/tek9.asp. You can download a form at www.gafgeneva.org/Boat%20Race%20flyer%202007.pdf and mail a check to the foundation. For additional information, call Horton at (630) 232-2636.