PLAMONDON - Getting’ down and dirty in the mud might not be everybody’s idea of a fun time —but over the July 7 weekend, those who don’t mind a little dirt in their events’ calendar will have reason to cheer. Dozens of ‘truck and muck’ enthusiasts will be flinging mud and bringing smiles as the Plamondon Mud Bogs is waking up the neighbourhood after a three-year COVID-nap.
The decades – old community celebration, which was put on hold for a few years due to the pandemic, is roaring back to life this summer. The weekend will offer non-stop action at the Plamondon Festival Centre grounds and across the northeastern Alberta hamlet. Jessica Routhier, the event coordinator for the Plamondon and District Community Development Society (PDCDS), says the community and race fans from outside the area have been eagerly awaiting the return of this popular competition.
“The Mud Bogs truly bring about a sense of community, but, more importantly, they boost tourism in the area, which in turn is a great help to the local economy,” she said.
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Ladies can drive. Enter to win
The Mud Bogs are sanctioned by the Canadian Mud Racing Organization (CMRO) and will feature amateur to professional racers. Routhier says there’s also a contest leading up to the weekend hoped to draw even more female racers to the driver’s seat. The contest is for any woman who wants to race in into the pits at the wheel of a custom-made mud-bog truck. The truck is one of several built by Clinton Ailsby, an area mud bog enthusiast who helped to build the foundations of the current event. Ailsby passed away in 2009. Contest details are on the mud bog’s social media pages.
For two full days the community will echo with the sound of trucks, buggies and mud-diggers of all makes and performance levels. All racers will be competing against others in their categories, the mud and the clock.
“At the end of the races, the number of runs by each driver and the time for each one is tallied up,” Routhier explained, adding that in addition to prize money, the top three finishers are awarded with medals.
The prizes, the hospitality and the race fans have been a popular draw for racers over the years.
“In previous years, there has always been a very good turnout. The number of drivers who register often depends upon what class they are in,” Routhier explained. “The modified category can have as many as 24 entries, while superstock and pro modified tend to have around 10 each.”
Good, clean fun … & beer & music & pancakes
With the mud-pits as the centre stage, event organizers have created a number of activities and distractions if the mud gets too much.
In addition to the return of the popular Mud Bog slo-pitch tournament, this year’s schedule includes a demolition derby, something called a “Red-neck” Rust & Shine, all-day beer gardens, free pancake breakfasts, children’s activities, an open-air Friday night dance and a double-bandstand concert on Saturday night.
“This has always been a very entertaining weekend,” Routhier stated. “Dances will be held on both Friday and Saturday nights. It’s a great chance for people to talk, have fun and let loose.”
This year’s event will have an admission fee of $45 for weekend access to the Festival Centre grounds.
*with files from Rob McKinley
