Tuk Tuk Goose Chase debuts downtown

Here is a sneak peak at some of the Tuk Tuks which will participate in the challenge. Courtesy of TukTukGoose.com

The Tuk Tuk Goose Chase has assembled 10 teams of Des Moines’ best and brightest and given them a simple challenge: Take a three-wheeled motorized scooter, and audaciously decorate it, then be prepared to compete in a series of five challenges in downtown Des Moines on Sunday, Oct. 28.                

Some of the challenges include:  

The Escape from the Zoo – For this challenge, teams have been notified that animals (stuffed) have escaped from the zoo and need to be retrieved from locations around downtown and returned ASAP;                

The Fire Brigade – Teams are given directions to drive to the fire station where they will be given buckets of water that need to be loaded and carefully returned without spilling; and                

Hockey Tuk – For this challenge, drivers will be directed to an undisclosed hockey rink where they will be provided with sticks, exercise balls and a goal. The team that scores the most points within the specified time limit will win.                

“Tuk tuk” is a nickname given to motorized rickshaws in India and Asia. They serve as a primary means of transportation in developing countries, and now they have landed in Iowa. Matthew Smith is the brainchild of the idea locally and brought The Tuk Tuk Goose Chase idea home with him after he was invited to attend a similar race in India. When he was unable to make the trip, he decided to introduce this off-the-wall concept to central Iowans instead.                

“If I can’t go to India to race tuk tuks, then why don’t I bring tuk tuks to race in Iowa?” Smith said.                

Ten teams from the area will compete in the all-day event, which will be held at el Bait Shop, 200 S.W. 2nd St. Twenty-five dollars gets you in and includes two drink tickets, premium seating to view the event and live music all day.                

“If Des Moines had a post-modern art festival and then decided to put it on three wheels and let Hunter S. Thompson drive it around, you might have a glimpse of what you will see on October the 28th,” Smith described.               

The Tuk Tuks will arrive at 9 a.m. offering demos and display all day. Music kicks off at 10:30 a.m. with Matt Woods, who is followed at 12:30 p.m. by The Dead Yellow Canaries. The main event, the Tuk Tuk Goose Chase Challenges, will begin at 2 p.m. An award show will follow the races, as well as photo-opportunities and more music, including Iowa blues guitarist Joe Price. The Nadas conclude the line-up, taking the stage at 5 p.m.                

Any schedule changes will be noted on the event website at www.tuktukgoose.com. Tickets are available at www.tikly.co, and the event will be held rain or shine. Volunteers will be needed throughout the day. See the website for details. CV