Inaugural DeSoto Derby Canoe Race raises fun, funds

The western bank of Lake DeSoto was brimming with activity Saturday morning.

However, most of the attention was centered on the lake itself for the inaugural DeSoto Derby Canoe Race.

The fundraiser for Lake City Elks Lodge #893 attracted 20 teams of friends, firefighters, family members and tough competitors hoping to show off their penchant for paddle power to claim the title.

After four qualifying heats, the final race featured four teams vying for the title, as the participants paddled their way around Lake DeSoto.

Brock and Wiliam Dees, a father and son duo from Mobile, Alabama, won the inaugural DeSoto Derby Canoe Race.

“It feels good,” the elder Dees said following the race.

“It was super awesome, super fun out here,” added William Dees. “There was a bunch of great activities to do and a bunch of great food.”

“It feels good,” Brock said of winning the title with his son. “I like the father and son opportunities and my other sons got to witness it, so it was good.

Chris Samson, Exalted Ruler of Lake City Elks Lodge #893, was optimistic about the success of the race.

“I love the fact that it brought out a lot of families, community leaders and it brought the city of Lake City together and everybody enjoyed the day,” he said. “I think it’s going to grow in the future and I believe that in years to come we’ll have to look back on this day and remember when.”

Organizers believe that the overcast conditions may have prevented some people from attending the event with the pending threat of rain.

Samson said he thinks that the newness of the race event, the threatening weather and the fact that it was at the end of spring break impacted some people’s plans.

“We will, in the years to come, take all of that into account, but for the inaugural (event), I think it went off better than expected,” he said.

Elks were out in force for the event, setting up temporary docks, aligning the start and finish lines as well as shadowing the racers on pontoon boats. Lodge members also provided cotton candy for youngsters and set up photo opportunities with Elroy The Elk, the mascot for the local lodge.

Samson was pleased that the Elks unselfishly gave their time to make the event a success.

“It’s meant the world,” he said. “It’s another reason that the Elks are the foremost authority in Lake City for putting on events for the entire family,” he said.

Rosy Sparks, an Elks Lodge member who volunteered to help with the event, was also pleased that the event attracted so many community members.

“I actually think it was a success,” she said of the event. “I was a little nervous at first, but it turned out to be a great day.”

With 20 teams participating in the inaugural event, Sparks said the participation level reached her expectations.

“It’s kind of what I was hoping for at minimum, so we did great,” Sparks said of the number of teams for the inaugural event.

With the addition of bounce houses, food trucks and different booths, a small crowd was at the lake on Saturday with young children, pet owners and people interested in the event.

“Overall I think it went great and I’m excited for next year,” Sparks said. “Next year we’ll know how to tweak it a little bit and I hope that it will be even more successful.”

A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to the Elks Childrens Mobile Therapy Service.