It wasn't the Preakness but Warwick's Duck Derby attracted a crowd
WARWICK - Alex Fogg is only two years old but she sure knows how to pick her ducks. The young lady was the Grand Prizewinner of this year's Annual Duck Derby Benefit Race sponsored by Winslow Therapeutic Center. The event was held on Sunday, May 16, with half of all proceeds going to Winslow and the other half divided equally among numerous other not-for-profit organizations, which help to market tickets for the popular race. Out-of-town visitors or those who haven't had the opportunity to witness this event, now in its 14th year, might have wondered why hundreds of adults and children were crowding the bridges or running along the banks of Waywayanda Creek in the Village of Warwick. The answer is that most had "adopted" one or more of hundreds of rubber ducks, each bearing the number that corresponds with the $5 ticket they purchased. At 1:30 p.m., all the ducks were released from Cablevision's pedestrian bridge to make their way in the fast-moving water to the finish line near the Main St. bridge. There were 10 prizes in merchandise and other services donated by local businesses and a $1,000 cash Grand Prize courtesy of Winslow Therapeutic Center Center. The weekend's festivities began with a "Faux Duck" (chicken) dinner and a free concert open to the public. The dinner was held Saturday evening, May 15, at the Village Park on Railroad Ave. Musical entertainment was provided by Oxford Depot and two youth bands. On Sunday, the first, second and third merchandise and service prizewinners of the Duck Derby Benefit Race were Barbara LeDuc of Warwick, Jody Yankanin of Goshen, and Elizabeth Black of Warwick.