Adirondack Interpretive Center
Build Us Bridges! Competition
The Loons and Logs event was created in 2012 to celebrate the connection between human and the natural history of the Adirondacks, drawing together the return of loons in the spring, timing that coincided with the spring log drives. This timing also signaled the start of the “summer season” for welcoming the return of seasonal residents and visitors.
2025 Competition | July 19, 2025 | 11 a.m.
The Rubber Loon Race held during the Loons and Logs event has been a staple fundraiser for the Adirondack Interpretive Center. This year, in keeping with our theme of Loons and Logs we have also decided to embrace the loss of bridges from the 2023 flooding event with a new fundraising competition inviting visitors to build a bridge made of logs (popsicle sticks) in our first ever Build Us Bridges! Competition. Two categories will be judged: Bridge of Brawn and Bridge of Beauty.
Each bridge category has 4 age divisions. Both the Loon Dive and the Build Us Bridges! events will help raise money critical to supporting free public educational programming here at the AIC.
Judging
Bridge of Brawn
Tested live with weights
- Bridge will be placed over 16” gap
- Weights will be added to bridge decking until structure fails
- Bridge that holds most weight in each age category will be awarded “Bridge of Brawn”
Bridge of Beauty
Judged for creativity and beauty
- 2-3 independent judges will determine Bridge of Beauty according to aesthetics and creativity – only structural integrity requirement is it must be able to span a 16” gap
- One winner will be awarded in each age group
Age Groups
Bridge of Brawn
Kids 6 and below with assistance from one adult
Youth 7 – 14
Teen 15-18
Adult 18+
Bridge of Beauty
Kids 6 and below
Youth 7 – 14
Teen 15-18
Adult 18+
Registration
Registration Cost: $10
- Bridges may not be painted, coated, or treated in any way.
- Bridge can only be made of popsicle sticks and craft glue (polyvinyl acetate glue, PVA)
- Popsicle sticks must be approximately 4.5” x 0.39” x 2mm ONLY
- Bridge must be able to span a 16” gap and be no longer than 18”
- Bridge can be no wider than 6”
- Bridge can be no taller than 6”
- Glue is the only acceptable fastener
- Glue can only be used to connect popsicle sticks, not to strengthen them
- Popsicle sticks cannot be glued together to double popsicle thickness and strength
- Bridges cannot have additional lower central supports
- Bridge must have decking or be able to support a thin cardboard “deck” to hold a container for the purpose of weighing bridge strength. Decking must be 5”x 5”.
- Contestants will be given a 30-minute period prior to competition to make any final adjustments as long as they fall within the above guidelines.
- Any bridge that does not follow the rules listed will be disqualified.