Ralston would benefit greatly from incorporating an Annual Canoe Race around the island, both as a tourist attraction and as a recreational way to bring the community together once a year. Ralston’s main attraction is how it is a small island surrounded by water, which makes a recreational race around the island very plausible and unique, because most other islands are far too large to accommodate a race of that scale. Not only this, but Ralston could also hold events prior to the race where the community can come together to build and decorate their own canoes, which highlights the creativity of the town and the pride they have in their community. This could be for all age groups, or it could be separated into junior and senior events to make the competition more fair.
To make watching the race entertaining, there could be stations set up around the coast of the island for residents to set up camps and watch as the racers go by, whilst also having cameramen on boats following and recording the racers to go on live television for those that are unable to attend the race in person. Prizes for the race could include something physical like a trophy, or memorial like being able to name an attraction or tourist spot in Ralston.
Ralston, Vermont's "Green Island" City 