The Estevan Art Gallery and Museum (EAGM) has announced its third annual Estevan Derby hobbyhorse fundraiser. The event promises to be joyful and hilarious. It is going to take place on Saturday, Feb. 9.
The director of the EAGM Amber Andersen was excited to announce the venue they picked for this year.
“Last year we had it at the (Southeast) College. This year we’ll be at the Exhibition Hall. We are excited, and we keep trying different places,” Andersen said.
The new location will be able to accommodate over 200 guests and Andersen believes that out of their previous experience they will max out the Exhibition Hall capacity.
“It’s really popular, because people really bring the creativity. People can decorate their horses as they see them, so last year there was a lot of hilarious themes,” Andersen said.
Every individual will have an opportunity to buy a wooden hobbyhorse, turn it into a unique piece of art and then compete against others. The race will look like a big board game, where people will take turns rolling numbers, which will indicate how far they can advance on the board.
The price of participation is $100, which includes two entrance tickets. All money raised through the night will be used for the EAGM programs.
“We always put the money we ask from the community back in the community in the form of the programming, so these are our trivia nights, our family art that we do with kids, our family events that we do,” Andersen said.
People who don’t want to participate in horse decoration and the race can always come watch and enjoy the night. The tickets are available for purchase for $20 apiece. And those who will catch a gambling itch through the night will be able to wager on a favourite horse.
Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the event will last as long as it will take for all participants to race their horses and try their luck in the unique derby.
Tickets can be purchased at the EAGM.
Last year, the Estevan Derby attracted more than 150 people. That time 49 horses were entered. The EAGM hopes that this year they will be able to attract even more interest towards the event.
