2019 Canada Winter Games Mascot Challenge Frequently Asked Questions The following is responses to some frequently asked questions. This is not a comprehensive list of all rules for the 2019 Mascot Challenge. The official rules are available at canadagames.ca/2019​. Why were the four animal options selected? The deer, the moose, the snowshoe hare, and the great horned owl are all animals with local significance to central Alberta that are also active winter animals. While there are a number of potential animals these four were selected for a variety of reasons. Some more background is available below. Snowshoe Hare: The snowshoe hare is quick and agile able to hop up to 3 metres and reach speeds of 45 km/h. Very active in the winter it is called the snowshoe hare because it’s hind feet are really big like snowshoes so when it hops through the snow it doesn’t sink through it. The snowshoe hare loves winter so much that when winter comes it’s fur changes brown to white. While there are some snowshoe hares in the US, it is a very Canadian animal as snowshoe hares can be found in every province and territory in Canada. Deer: Deer are a very quick animal. Some white-tailed deer can even reach speeds of 75 km/h. Deer are incredible jumpers that can leap several feet high and can clear over 20 ft in a single leap. Interestingly, there is no “Red Deer” native to Alberta and Red Deer was named after a misunderstanding that the Elk seen in Alberta look similar to the European Red Deer. Moose: The moose is a big, strong animal, in fact it is the largest member of the deer family (including deer, elk, and caribou). They can weigh up to 1500 pounds and be up to 6’9” at the shoulders. The moose is a powerful swimmer and despite it size can move almost silently through the forest. Great Horned Owl: The Great Horned Owl is Alberta’s official bird. Unlike many birds, the great horned owl does not migrate south in the winter. In fact, the great horned owl nests well before the snow melts. It is a stealthy bird that makes it a formidable hunter. Despite owls commonly depicted in fiction as wise old birds, the Great Horned Owl’s strength and powerful talons make it a force to be reckoned with. It gets its name from having tufts of feathers on it’s head that look like small horns. Who can enter the Mascot Challenge? The Mascot Challenge is open to children aged 5 to 12 that are Alberta residents What if my child turns 13 before the Mascot Challenge deadline? The Mascot Challenge is open to any children who were 12 years of age as of April 7, 2017 Will my child’s artwork be published? The 2019 Canada Games reserves the right to publish, in any media or form, any entrant’s submission without further recognition. A comprehensive set of rules is available at canadagames.ca/2019​. What is the prize? The winner will be awarded a Canada Games Prize Pack, a Pizza Party for their Class, and will be eligible to be a torch bearer during the 2019 Canada Games torch relay. How will the submissions be judged? The submissions will be judged by a panel of Games staff and volunteers, a representative of the sponsor, and two Athlete Approved Advisory Group members. They will be judged on the following criteria: ● Connection to Red Deer and Central Alberta ● Artistic merit ● Creativity in name and story ● Alignment with the 2019 Canada Games Brand When will the winner be notified? The winner will be notified by the end of May 2017. When will the mascot be announced? The mascot will be announced formally in fall 2017. How do I submit my Mascot Challenge form? If your class is participating in the 2019 Mascot Challenge forms can be turned in directly to your teacher, who can then submit on the classes behalf to the 2019 Canada Games. If you are submitting outside of class forms can be submitted online at ​canadagames.ca/2019​ or by mail to 5205 48 Avenue, Red Deer, AB T4N 6X3 What is the deadline for submission? Submissions must be received by 4 p.m. MST on May 12, 2017, in order to be considered for the Mascot Challenge.