'Wilson's Amazing Race' approaches

The normally tranquil lakeside community of Wilson is in the "running" for the second annual celebration of "Wilson's Amazing Race." Organized by First Baptist Church of Wilson, this community-wide event will be held on Friday, June 17, with the entire village becoming the setting for a fast-paced action game in the style of the popular television reality show. Contestants of all ages will come together in what event organizers promise to be a great evening of hilarious hijinks, as 15 teams set out on foot in a daring dash around a pre-planned course to determine who will be the winner of "Wilson's Amazing Race."

Nicole Ficarra of First Baptist Church is in charge of planning and organizing this fellowship-building event. As a youth leader working with senior high school kids, Ficarra is no stranger to planning exciting events. "This year's game will go way beyond what happened last year. We're not going to use the traditional method of reading off riddles and clues. We're going electronic!" She explained that after each team accomplishes a specific task, they will be given a series of numbers to text message to home base, and the text response will lead racers to their next challenge.

First Baptist Pastor Stephen Hay is helping Ficarra plan some of the checkpoints and activities in the race. He points out that some of the challenges will require racers to catapult doughnuts with a giant sling shot, take aim at a giant bunny and attempt to hit it with paintball bullets, enjoy a taste-testing treat at Brownies, participate in a relay race in front of the school, and much more. "The last station will be located at the electronic sign board in the village, where the teams will be asked to decode a message using information that is flashing on the sign," Hay said.

While planners continue to rally the whole community behind this second annual event, it is also taking on a following all its own. Several businesses and individuals have joined in the fun this year as sponsors, including Lakeside IGA, Matty's Pizza, T&R's Convenience Store, Brownies, Linda Lou's Restaurant, and the Moxham family.

"Wilson's Amazing Race" has a little something for everyone. Ficarra added, "You can lace up your sneakers to take part in the action, or bring along a lawn chair and sit back and watch the race unfold. Either way, we look forward to seeing you at the event."

Ficarra adds that those who want to enter the race are asked to find a few other daring souls and make up teams of five, or just contact the church and be assigned to a team. Special prizes will be awarded for the best custom-made T-shirts and team names that capture the spirit of the event. Racers and spectators should gather in the First Baptist Church parking lot at the corner of Pettit and Chestnut streets on June 17, where a community hot dog roast will begin at 6 p.m. At that time, final instructions will be announced and the first "clue" will be given for a "shot-gun" start to "Wilson's Amazing Race." Prizes will also be awarded to the teams that finish in first, second and third places.

For further information, contact Hay at 534-4841 or Ficarra at 930-9492.