A forecast of heavy rain associated with Hurricane Joaquin has prompted a date change for the eighth annual Sharky 500. The event, which features a race by hundreds of rubber sharks down Beaver Creek, has now been rescheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17.
"We made this call in the interest of safety," said Claudia Byrd, executive director of the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities. "We've talked with regional weather experts and since there's a significant chance of flooding this weekend, we feel it's best for our guests and staff if we choose another date for this celebration."
The rescheduled Sharky 500 will take place at Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS) 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. The event includes a free-of-charge Kid's Expo, featuring pumpkin painting, games, inflatables and music. Sharks go into the water at 1:30 p.m., and the fastest fish wins its owner a new John Deere XUV 825i Power Steering Crossover Utility Vehicle, courtesy of Meade Tractor. Complete with trailer, it's a package valued at more than $19,000.
Prizes for second through tenth place winners include a three-day, two-night stay at Chetola Resort at Blowing Rock, N.C., family stays at Wilderness of the Smokies in Sevierville, Tenn., tickets for the 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series and Sprint Cup Series races at BMS, and more.
Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased until 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. Tickets can be purchased online at Bristol.SpeedwayCharities.org or by calling (855) 580-5525. There is no limit on the number of sharks an individual can purchase. Winners do not have to be present to claim a prize. Proceeds benefit thousands of children throughout Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Sponsors include Meade Tractor, Wilderness of the Smokies, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, Electric 94.9 and Pizza Plus.
For more information, visit Bristol.SpeedwayCharities.org.