The kids decided we should go to the Duckfest Derby last night. So we piled into the car and drove to watch the event today.
20,000 Rubber Duckies were released at New River at Esplanade Park for the fundraising benefit of Kids In Distress. For $5 anyone could 'adopt' a duck that would be in this fun family event. Money goes to the Kids In Distress and the event was done to raise awarness. Prizes were awarded to the first, second, third, fourth and absolute last duck to cross the finishline.
Splashdown! The truck dumps 20,000 rubber ducks at 12:30 p.m. The race was on!
The rubber ducks begin their race down New River. Bobbing along slowly in the river current.
Given the scale of the event and that sometimes Mother Nature needs a helping hand, helpers were on hand to assist in the event and make sure that the duckies did not get stuck.
Giving Directions
Fire Rescue firing the Water Cannons.
The Duck Herders
Get Along Lil'Duckies
The rubber ducks make it to the finishline but only those lil' duckies that push their way through the tube will be declared winners:-)
With the Derby over, and the winners & the last duck crossing the finishline it is now a big task to round up the ducks and pack them up.
It took the Rubber Duckies roughly 25 minutes to complete their race to the finishline.
They did this in Portland a couple years in a row back in the mid '90s. Was definitely a lot of fun, but the water wasn't nearly as warm as for you. :p
Great pictures! They do that here but they're dumped into a river so there are no "herders". The first duck to enter the lake that the river empties into is the winner.
