An annual backyard party in Ste. Labre has raised well over $75,000 for local charities over the past 10 years.

The St. Labre 200 was this Saturday which actually just celebrated its 10th anniversary. Spokesperson Mariette Kirouac says this had originally started as a family competition and grew from there. "The Grenier family out in St. Labre started this challenge with each other 10 years ago of building go-carts," says Kirouac noting it has now grown into a whole weekend event where teams start by building their carts Friday and race Saturday afternoon. "So they figured they'd start racing with the same motor, the same this, the same that to make sure it was very fair but design your own kind of go-cart."

She adds this year they had 18 teams from all over the province participate in the 200 lap race which comes out to about 50 miles. One new feature this year Kirouac adds was the political race where six local politicians such as Provencher MP Ted Falk, MLA Dennis Smook and others took to the track for a race of their own.

Kirouac says they have about 1,500 people attend the event every year and she adds they also have 40 to 50 campers on site for the weekend. "So 1,500 people come and you know what's the most beautiful part, it's a whole family party, it's just good ole fashion fun."

She adds the four local organizations the proceeds will go to this year are: Youth for Christ, The Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, St. Malo Catholic Camp and Habitat for Humanity Southeast Chapter.