BY CARLA ALLEN

The Coast Guard

NovaNewsNow.com

Logs will be replacing bars on June 9 in a creative solution to fundraising for Forest Ridge Academy.

Principal Wayne Mullins says the idea for a mini log-run came to organizers last fall.

“The new food policy prevents schools from selling chocolate bars as a fundraiser. That’s a big chunk of revenue that’s been cut away from us,” he said.

Rubber duck runs appealed to the committee at first but those events, which often leave stray plastic ducks on the loose, have been criticized for their environmental impact.

Because the Barrington River was a famous river years ago for log runs, organizers thought a mini log run was a much better idea.

At least 500 ‘numbers’ for the mini-logs, made out of cut dowels, will be sold for the fundraiser.

“What we’re using are 75-centimeter, about three-inch long, pieces of maple wood that we are going to number from one to 500 and then sell the numbers at $5 a piece,” said Mullins.

The numbered logs will be released at 4 p.m. on June 9 during lobster festival weekend, just above the dam by the old woolen mill.

They will flow over the dam, beneath the highway and into an inlet between the highway and the railroad bridge.

“The first one to go underneath the railroad bridge is the winner,” said Mullins.

The prize is $500.

He says that the event has begun to take on a life of its own.

“A lot of people have really gotten enthusiastic about it,” he said.

Bouncy tents, a bike raffle, face painting, a canteen and games will also be at the nearby former Tourist Bureau site for the day.

Check with Forest Ridge Academy for when numbers for the logs will be available for sale.