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Teams ready to head out on the highway

Adventure seekers can sample the flavour of the Foothills in a unique road challenge promoting local arts and cuisine this weekend.

Adventure seekers can sample the flavour of the Foothills in a unique road challenge promoting local arts and cuisine this weekend.

Okotoks business owner Linda Macallum is challenging teams of two to five people to complete tasks that highlight the specialties of various restaurants and artisans in Okotoks, Black Diamond and Turner Valley for The Great Dash on June 24.

“There are a ton of businesses that people don’t know about and I would really love to help expose them,” said Macallum. “I’ve done a lot of research to find out some of these off-the-beaten-track businesses. There’s someone who does permaculture and a guide for the Kananaskis area who does amazing things. That’s the sort of thing I would bring out to the forefront.”

Macallum founded Watermark earlier this spring to promote arts and entertainment in the Foothills with a focus on under-exposed businesses.

After helping organize the Taste ‘n’ Task Car Rally as the Okotoks Arts Council’s former president last fall, Macallum decided to bring a similar event to the Foothills through Watermark.

“On the Okotoks Arts Council I saw the need for a lot of artists who didn’t market themselves very well and I wanted to see whether I could do something,” said Macallum. “I love the area, I love Okotoks, I love trying to inspire people and do community events. It goes along with my whole vision for Watermark, which is making the makers known.”

Last year’s event had 20 teams complete up to 50 tasks throughout the Foothills. The Great Dash has fewer tasks and adds fun challenges to expose participants to lesser-known creative aspects of the Foothills, said Macallum.

“I am a big proponent of helping the off-the-beaten-track ones that need the help,” she said. “My goal is these people go back to these businesses afterwards.”

Each team must complete the challenges by solving clues at each location. The more tasks they complete, the more points they earn. An extra point is awarded to teams that bring a food item for the Okotoks Food Bank.

Prizes will be given to the team with the most points, best team name and best team bandanas, Macallum said.

Teams start at the Country Store Diner in Turner Valley for breakfast where they will receive a package with the clues they will need to solve throughout the day. Participants will visit up to 20 businesses for their arts and cuisine experiences.

“I stressed with the businesses to engage with the people and have fun with them,” said Macallum. “I found most were really receptive to it. Some will go the extra mile, which is just awesome, like offering wine and cheese and things other than what I’ve asked. It just makes the experience for the teams that much better.”

Country Store Diner co-owner Curtis Dixon said he looks forward to being part of The Great Dash.

“It’s a great way for people from the city to get out and get introduced to some of these local businesses,” he said. “Anything that we can do to promote our local business is a benefit to everybody.”

The diner was involved in last year’s Taste ‘n’ Task Car Rally, challenging teams to fold pizza boxes.

While one of the Country Store Diner’s biggest promotional tools is social media, Dixon said it’s important to increase exposure in other ways.

“Anything we can do to get our name out there,” he said. “Not everybody is on Facebook or social media. This reaches people maybe that aren’t part of that regular advertising.”

Teams will work to complete their tasks and challenges before meeting at Rylie’s Cattle Barn Cookhouse & Saloon in Okotoks at 4 p.m.

Those interested in registering for The Great Dash must do so before the end of the day on June 22. The cost to register is $35 per person.

To register or for more details go to Watermarkab.com

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