Rubber Ducky Derby

Annual Rubber Ducky Derby raises money for nonprofits, part of Whitewater Festival

By Charlotte Burrous

burrousc@canoncitydailyrecord.com

Posted:   05/27/2014 07:58:54 PM MDT

Yellow rubber duckies will ride the rapids again as part of the Rotary Club of Fremont County's second annual Rubber Ducky Derby.

"It will be June 21 as one of the events in the afternoon of the Whitewater Festival," said Linda Carlson. "The time will be (about) 4:30 (p.m.)."

On the day of the derby, 4,000 rubber ducks will be released from the Oil Creek Ditch near the First Street Bridge, and they will race to the finish line in front of the Cañon City Hall building.

"Because the river is going to be so high, we're starting at Skyline Steel (so) we can control catching the ducks," Carlson said. "Last year, we lost so many ducks. It's also a safety issue. We don't want to have children falling in when they're trying to catch the ducks."

The rubber duckies cost $5 each, and may be purchased from Rotary Club members.

They can also be purchased from the following nonprofit organizations: Boy Scouts of America, Boys & Girls Club, Fremont County Search & Rescue, Florence Friends of the Library, Florence High School ACE, Florence Senior Center, Mountain View Core Knowledge, Cañon City High School National Honor Society, CCHS FCCLA, Sister City, Florence Eagles and Kinderhaus.

For each rubber ducky that an organization sells, they get $2, Carlson said.

First prize for the Rubber Ducky Derby is $1,000 cash; second, $500; third, $250; fourth, $100; and fifth, $50. Additionally, every entry has a chance to win a new car. Participants need not be present to win.

"All the money we raise gets spent locally and some of it goes to overseas projects," she said.

The club recently donated money to Dr. Victoria King, who is going on a medical mission to Peru. In the past, the local club has donated money for scholarships, the Whitewater Park, Veterans Park Fountain, FCA Sculpture Garden, Senior Fun Fest and others.

Rotary Club members are also working on helping with the restoration of the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park.

For more information, talk to a Rotary Club member or the nonprofits selling the tickets.