The Great Ball Race returns this year to the Johnny Appleseed Festival on Saturday, Sept. 29, in downtown Crystal Lake.
Colored balls will be released at the top of the Brink Street hill at 3 p.m. All the balls are numbered, and guests can purchase raffle tickets with numbers that coordinate with the balls.
The first ball down the hill awards the holder of the winning number a grand prize of $1,000, according to the Downtown Crystal Lake website. Runner-ups will receive merchandise and gift certificates from participating downtown merchants.
Never seen the race before? Watch the attached video of the 2010 Great Ball Race.
Great BIG Ball Race
As a bonus, the Great BIG Ball Race will follow. Five sponsors of the BIG Ball Race will provide a representative to wear a big colored ball costume and race up Brink Street hill against the other contestants. Tickets bearing the winning racer's colored will be entered int a second-chance drawing for another prize.
To date, the 2012 Great BIG Ball runners will be:
RED - Santa Run for Kids
BLUE - BMO Harris Bank
ORANGE - Herrick Auto Rebuilders
GREEN - ?? (open - contact Downtown CL if interested in sponsoring this color)
YELLOW - Raue Center for the Arts
