Whatever Floats Your Boat Community Health Day Nov. 7

The City of Texarkana, Ark., is partnering with several area health agencies to hold a Community Health Day on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Bobby Ferguson Park. The event will promote a healthy, green community while tying together America Recycles Day(11/15) and the Great American Smokeout (11/19).Activities for the day include the “Whatever Floats Your Boat” Duct Tape boat race, where tape and recycled materials will be fashioned into watercraft that, hopefully, will float their way to a prize. What materials are salvageable at the end of the event will be recovered and recycled. Boat race participants are encouraged to sign up early and get started building their boats.

A full list of rules and link to sign up are available at eventbrite.com by searching "Whatever Floats Your Boat Community Health Day."

Participants may enter the race in one of four categories, and prizes will be awarded for spirit and originality, as well as the coveted Titanic Award for the most spectacular sinking. First responders and safety equipment will be on site and anyone wishing to participate in the boat race must bring their own personal flotation device and fill out the necessary registration forms. Each boat is required to have tethered flotation devices so that, in the event of sinking, the boats may be recovered.

A 5K race, the Cold Turkey Trot, will also be held in an effort to discourage tobacco use. Pledges will be accepted for joining the Great American Smokeout, the annual campaign by the American Cancer Society to eliminate tobacco use. Signup for the 5K is available at the same website.