SPANISH FORT, Ala. — It’s one thing to tout the natural beauty of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and encourage responsible family interaction with it.

It’s another thing entirely to give families the means to enjoy the amenity and build in a little competition in the process.

That’s exactly why Capt. Michael Dorie, who operates 5 Rivers Delta Safaris, will host the inaugural Great Bartram Canoe Classic as part of the third annual Delta Woods and Waters Expo Family Day slated for April 30.

The race will begin at 1 p.m.

“The expo is a signature event for the city of Spanish Fort, and we’re proud to be a Spanish Fort business. We just felt like this was something we could do to encourage a little family fun and really get people out on the water,” Dorie said.

The 3.5-mile race is a “little short” for experienced kayakers, he said, so anyone piloting a watercraft other than canoes will be invited to participate in a “fun-run way,” and prizes will be awarded at both levels.

In addition, Dorie appealed to art teachers at both Spanish Fort and Rockwell Elementary schools to get students involved with the design for the race’s T-shirt and medallion, and a portion of the proceeds from both the race and T-shirt sales will be redistributed to Spanish Fort schools.

Of the dozens of entrants received from first- through fifth-graders, Rockwell Elementary fifth-graders swept the top three spots, he said.

Gabriela Ardines’ design took top honors — and will be featured on the promotional materials — while Natalie Tomlin took second place and Malorie McIntyre placed third.

The cost of race registration through Friday, he said, is $25 for adults and free for children 12 and under. After the close of business on April 8, however, registration increases to $30 per adult.

To date, only 15 people have registered, he said, noting canoe rentals will also be available the day of the race for anyone who wants to participate but doesn’t own their own vessel.

All race participants receive a free T-shirt, and the remainder will be sold to expo patrons for $15 each.

“We do canoeing and kayaking all over the delta, and we tie in with the expo perfectly because we’re all about the delta experience and accessing this wonderful attraction,” Dorie said.

He also noted that to his knowledge there is no other organized canoe race offered at any point during the year in Baldwin County, and the expo provides the perfect venue to be first.

The expo was created three years ago to expose area youth to the virtues of environmental consciousness and importance of marine safety, while addressing the city’s long-range goal of creating a community-wide event that defines and unites its residents.

While the first two days of the annual event are reserved for area fourth-graders, Family Day traditionally offers an expanded slate of 25 activities and demonstrations, covering everything from small-boat handling and turkey calling to yarn spinning and marine safety. John C. Hall, founding curator of the University of West Alabama’s Black Belt Regional Museum, will reprise his role as storied naturalist William Bartram, who traveled through Alabama in 1775, recording firsthand data on the region’s undisturbed natural environment and native inhabitants.