Warwicks 22nd Annual Duck Derby raises nearly $20,000
WARWICK Held under clear blue skies and with mild temperatures it was a picture-perfect day for Winslow Therapeutic Centers 22nd Annual Duck Derby.
Visitors and newcomers could understandably be excused for wondering why hundreds of adults and children were crowding the bridges or running along the banks of Wawayanda Creek in the downtown area of the village.
The answer was that most had adopted one or more of almost 4,000 rubber ducks in the race, each bearing the number that corresponds with the $5 ticket they purchased.
Winslow, a non-profit organization accredited by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, shared half of the almost $20,000 proceeds of the popular event with approximately 20 non-profit organizations that help market the tickets.
The only problem of the day was that the usual starting point for the race, the Cablevision pedestrian bridge across Wawayanda Creek, had been taken down along with the companys condemned building.
But the organizers, with the assistance of members of the Vernon PAL 8th Grade Lacrosse Team, managed to find a spot on the South Street bridge where at 1:30 p.m. they were able to launch all the rubber ducks they had placed in a large tarp.
Volunteers captured the winning ducks at a finish line net placed just beyond the Main Street Bridge.
Most of the eight valuable prizes were merchandise or services donated by local businesses or individuals.
The first place prize of $1,000, provided by Winslow Therapeutic Center, was won by the Vander Plaat family of Warwick. Second place prizewinner, Elizabeth Moody of Greenwood Lake, won a 42 inch flat screen TV courtesy of Taco Hombre. And third place winner Leo Kaytes of Warwick, won an Apple iPod Touch 32GB courtesy of Lazear-Smith and Vander Plaat Memorial Home.
Winslow is already gearing up for next years Duck Derby and invites any organization leaders who would like to participate to call 986-6686.
- Roger Gavan