Thousands of yellow ducks, an estimated 7,000, went for a swim in the Nashua River this past weekend.
No, these were not bathtub escapees.
The Ducktober Derby was a planned swim event. The 3rd annual fundraiser event sponsored by the Rotary Club of Nashua West. For the past few months, members have been selling rubber duck sponsorships at $5 for a single rubber duck with discounts for multiple buys of a six-quack (6), quackers dozen (12), and flock (25).
Right on schedule at 2 pm on Saturday, the duck flotilla was released dumped into the Nashua River below our mill apt. Crowds gathered on the Main Street bridge and along the riverbank to cheer on the race entrants which silently floated to the race end, a barrier near the bridge. We noticed there were fewer onlookers than in previous years, a pandemic side effect.
Duck wranglers in kayaks rounded up the first 3 ducks that floated to the finish line and netted sponsors cash prizes of $2,500, $1,000 and $500. Our ducks were not winners (again this year). Monies raised from the duck derby will go to support local non-profit organizations.
Despite so many cancelled events this year, this one was a short, fun one enjoyed outdoors. All ducks were safely retrieved with no reported injuries.
25 comments:
I’m glad no ducks were harmed in the process )))! The Rotary Club used to do that here, I don’t know why they stopped. One year a lady I worked with won a big gift certificate for Safeway and donated it to the Christmas family our staff supported. She said she didn’t cook that much! I always remember that because the family so appreciated it and also because I would never have been that generous. (Even now I’d have to think about it. Back then we had our own houseful of kids!).
Sounds like a good way to involve the community and to raise money for local charities at the same time.
Looks like a fun way to spend a day outside. Lovely way to raise money for local charities.
This is such a fun way to raise money for charities. It also looks like it was a beautiful day to be outdoors. What a beautiful view from your windows. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.
Beatrice!!! This is like the cutest thing I saw okay in this month! WOW! I was first like wait WHAT!!! Why are they dumping things then I read that those are rubber duckies and THEY RACE OMG! Super cute! I hope that next year you'll get the grand!!! But even if you did not get the prize, it sure was a winner to see the fun event!
This is so cool! And it does good for the nonprofits and it's fun for everybody involved and it makes good photo fighter
Success all around.
Some people were lucky ducks.
A wonderful event in which everyone benefits. Great captures!
How exciting! I trust we'd have heard if you'd backed a winner. A great way to raise some money.
Well you had a good view of the proceedings from you apartment
Beatrice, The annual rubber duck derby is an charitable event here in Knoxville every year as well. It usually draws quite a crowd...but that was when there were crowds. Stay Safe and Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
My very small town has done this type of charitable event. Love seeing yours!
Sounds like a lot of fun for a good cause.
"No, these were not bathtub escapees. "
HA! LOVED that!
WOW!...that is A LOT of duckies! How fun that must have been!
Hey, that third photograph down is just beautiful! What a charming town you live! It's a picture postcard!
Have a superb week, my friend! Thanks for sharing the derby!
What a fun idea! I like that onlookers get to participate by ‘buying’ the ducks.
Now THAT was fun!!! If I remember right, you have entered before! I would have loved to see this in person - but through your eyes is the next best thing!
Fun! And I am glad they recapture all of them afterwards. ;)
You sure had a great vantage point for the rubber duck event. That are awesome photos!
What a fun event. And it isn't if you win or lose, it's how you paddle!
Great idea to raise money.
We used to have ducks and yellow ones I might add with people putting them over a bridge here in Launceston on a certain day and time...don't think they do it now.
What a fun day. sorry your ducks didn't win. maybe next year. I'm gla covid didn't cancel the event.
Haha what a fun idea and it looks like you had good dry weather, I'm sure there were would have been far less people there if it had been raining! So where do the ducks live for the rest of the year?
What a great fund raiser. But I imagine you could not pick out your duck from the flock? Too bad.
I think I have seen this done before. What fun!
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