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Lions Club Duck race rides the current to success

September 8, 2022   ·   0 Comments

The ducks weren’t exactly racing at a blistering pace down the river, but the Boyne River Classic Duck Race and Family Fun Day, provided a day of activities at Riverdale Park in Alliston and a lot of fun while raising funds for some of the Alliston Lions Club worthy causes.

As the plastic ducks bobbed casually down the river, on-lookers tried watching to see if their duck was pulling out ahead near the finish line.

The race featured four heats with the first five ducks crossing the finish line going to the final race for the prize money.

“We had four heats and 200 ducks per heat,” explained Lions Club member and event organizer Scott Cooke. “The first five ducks in each heat then go on the final race with 20 ducks in total. We’ve been doing this for six years and we started selling ducks two months ago.”

Volunteers loaded the ducks into two large bins, and when they got the signal, dropped all the ducks into the river. Down river, a net crossed the water to make sure no ducks made a break for it.

Volunteers entered the water to retrieve the ducks and record the first five across the finish line.

The event also featured a barbecue and plenty of fun activities for kids scattered around the park.

There was a lot at stake for the winners.

The first prize was $750 dollars, with second place winning $500, and third place receiving $250.

There were also 17 prizes of $50.00.

This year, the Lions Club plans to help three worthy causes with donations from the race.

They include Stevenson Memorial Hospital’s Diabetes Clinic, Diabetes Canada in support of Diabetes Camp Huronda, and the All Wheels Legacy Project, which is planning to build a new skateboard and bike part in Alliston.

By Brian Lockhart

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