Get set for an attack of the cute and cuddly, as Two Pharmacy returns for their 11th annual Diaper Derby on Sept. 16.
Families are invited to the Two Pharmacy parking lot at 10 a.m. where all racers aged from zero to three years old will crawl, scoot, walk, and stumble their way to victory.
Co-owner of Two Pharmacy and organizer of the event, Reid Kimmett, said the event is a great way for budding families to connect with one another in a fun and entertaining environment for all ages.
“The parents are almost as entertaining to watch as the kids because they are really into it and they’re doing anything they can to coerce their kid across the mat, and the kids are indifferent,” Reid said. “They have no idea what’s going on, and it’s just a really light, fun event.”
With a growing roster of racers and spectators, Kimmett said he estimates 60 families to participate in this year’s races.
“That would be a new record for us and as Cochrane grows, the interest has grown alongside it,” he said.
Winners for each bracket will be able to take home a small trophy for their efforts, and their names immortalized on a large trophy that will be on display at the store. But all racers, regardless of where they place, will take home swag bags with all types of goodies.
“We like to model it as if it’s like the Calgary marathon kind of thing, just a shrunk down mini-version for kids,” Kimmett explained. “You get bags like that, and even a racer number that you can stick to your kids to make it all official.”
In addition to festivities for the whole family, Kimmett added that over the last two years Two Pharmacy has been working with the Shifra Clinic and the Meira Memorial Foundation, in memory of Lindsay Kimmett to fundraise money to support women’s health in the community.
With the event free to the community, Kimmett asks those who register to donate if they can. Alongside the donations from races, Two Pharmacy plans to donate $2 for every child that participates and for every transaction that takes place in the store on race day.
“So hopefully [it’s] a really fruitful, fun day for families, but also supportive of women’s health in our community, as the people that are essentially the pillars of bringing all these young athletes into the world,” Kimmett said.
With the derby set, Kimmett said everyone at Two Pharmacy looks forward to another year of races.
“It’s definitely the funniest day of the year for all of our staff here,” Kimmett said. “It’s something that we’re happy to put on year after year.”
Anyone who is interested in registering in the races may do so by visiting the Two Pharmacy official social media pages, or by visiting www.twopharmacy.ca/diaperderby.
“If anyone’s remotely curious, just come by, it’s really fun,” Kimmett said. “It’s very entertaining, a ton of laughs, and a good way to brighten anyone’s weekend.”
