There’s still time to enter and, if you’re really lucky, win big in the annual Red Ball Express, which is set for Saturday afternoon at Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort.
The four local Rotary clubs and several local nonprofits are busy selling $5 tickets, and the winning ticket holder will collect a $5,000 grand prize.
The balls are scheduled to roll at 4 p.m. under the Columbine lift, to the left of the “Graduate” lift as you look up the beginner hill at the lower base.
Last year, the event raised about $16,000 for Rotary projects in La Plata County and about $15,000 for the nonprofits, said Doug Reynolds, Daybreak Rotary member and organizer of this year’s event.
“It definitely helps fund a lot of programs,” said Reynolds, an attorney in Durango since 2004.
Rotary members are selling tickets for $5 each. The nonprofits buy their tickets from the Rotaries for $1.25, then sell them for $5 to raise their funds.
Here’s how the event works:
Up to 120 red exercise balls are assigned a number. Some smart people who know math figure out how many balls need to be sent down the slope to match the number of tickets sold. The number is in the thousands.
The balls are loaded on the Columbine lift and sent to the top of the hill. They’re put behind a fence, then released at 4 p.m.
Whoever has the ticket that matches the numbers on the first two balls down the hill wins the grand prize. Matching the next two balls is worth $2,000 and the two after that, $1,000.
Tickets also can be purchased through Friday on the event website, www.durangoredball.com. The list of participating nonprofits also can be found on the website.
Also, tickets will be available on the mountain Saturday, both at the Columbine base and in the plaza. Those who buy Saturday are entered into a drawing for one of four gift baskets valued at $500. Those who purchased tickets in advance can enter the drawing by going to the ticket booth and getting a raffle ticket.
The event is sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank.
johnp@ durangoherald.com
DMR Benefit Day is Sunday for locals
Sunday is Locals Benefit Day at Purgatory, with a portion of lift ticket sales benefitting several local nonprofit organizations, including the Second Wind Fund, adult day care at Our Place, Durango Early Learning Center and Durango Education Center.
Those with a coupon pay discounted rates: $45 for adults (18-64); $32 for teenagers (13-17); $25 for kids (6-12 years); and $35 for seniors (65-plus).
A coupon (printed or displayed on a smartphone) must be presented at the ticket window for the Locals Benefit Day discount. Coupons are available online at www.SkiPurg.com/benefitday.
