The 11th annual Popsicle Stick Bridge Contest is off to a great start with a total of 364 kits delivered to four elementary schools – Cedar Grove, Davis Bay, Roberts Creek and West Sechelt.
This is a new record, one that placed a strain on sticks and glue.
“Last year we handed out 306 kits to the entire community, so we ordered 325 for this year”, reported organizing chair, John Leech. “We had to scramble a bit to secure additional supplies to fill the orders from schools and have sufficient kits for the broader community.”
Additional kits have been assembled and distributed to local businesses for pickup by building enthusiasts.
More than any time in the past, organizers say, teachers are including bridge building as a class activity, with other teachers talking about the general principles of bridge design, reviewing the contest rules and encouraging students to take the kit home, build a bridge and submit the bridge for testing.
To enhance excitement and as a little incentive to enter bridges for testing, the organizers will arrange pizza for the three classes with the greatest number of bridges tested, a new feature this year.
“And now it’s time for Coasters of all ages to try their hand at building a bridge out of popsicle sticks,” said Leech, noting that a total of $1,500 in cash and other prizes will be awarded this year.
The contest has four categories: elementary students, secondary students, family and open (adults).
To enter a bridge for testing the builder must register between April 12 and May 9. Bridges are to be dropped off on May 14, 15 or 16 at 296 Second St., Gibsons. Other drop locations may be announced.
Contest organizers advise that with COVID there will be no gathering this year. Builders will be able to watch bridges being tested live on May 30 at 13:00.
For current information. watch for notices in Coast Reporter and go to Sunshine Coast Popsicle Stick Bridge Contest on Facebook.
A fee of $5 (cash) per kit applies again in 2021. Bridge kits can be picked up at these locations:
Gibsons: Gibsons Building Supplies, 924 Gibsons Way; Home Hardware, 921 Gibsons Way; Park Road Automotive, 661 Park Rd.; and Wheatberries, 818 Gibsons Way.
Sechelt: Gibsons Building Supplies, 5575 Wharf Ave.; Pastimes Toy Store, 5496 Trial Ave.; ReStore, 5605 Sunshine Coast Hwy.; Sew Easy, Trail Bay Mall, 5755 Crowie St.; and Sunco Building Materials, 1945 Field Rd.
Madeira Park: Oak Tree Market, 12875 Madeira Park Rd.
