Thousands of rubber ducks, one $1,000 prize

Despite the rain, Warwick’s 16th annual Duck Derby still draws a crowd WARWICK - The weather on Sunday, May 21, was great for ducks. But it was not so good for everyone else. However, in spite of rain, heavy at times, the crowds showed up as usual for the 16th Annual Duck Derby. The fund-raising event is sponsored by Winslow Therapeutic Center and proceeds are divided equally between Winslow and other not-for-profit organizations which help market tickets for the popular race. Organizers said this year’s event raised $25,000. On the evening before the race, Duck Derby festivities began with a “Faux Duck” (chicken) dinner and free concert at the Village Park on Railroad Avenue. Oxford Depot provided the musical entertainment. On Sunday afternoon, anyone new to Warwick or just visiting could be excused for wondering why hundreds of adults and children, some carrying umbrellas, braved heavy rain to crowd the bridges or run along the banks of Wawayanda Creek in the downtown area of the Village. The answer was that most had “adopted” one or more of thousands of rubber ducks, each bearing the number that corresponds with the $5 ticket they purchased. And the prizes were valuable. At approximately 1:30 p.m., volunteers released all the ducks from Cablevision’s pedestrian bridge, the starting line of the race. With the swift waters of Wawayanda Creek moving even faster than usual, it didn’t take long for them to float their way down to the finish line near Warwick’s Main Street bridge. “We have a fast track today,” quipped Christine Tawpash, executive director of Winslow Therapeutic Center. Nine of the ten prizes were donated in merchandise or services by local businesses. The first place prize of $1,000, provided by Winslow Therapeutic Center, was won by Vin and Kat De Fabrizio of Highland Lakes. Second place prize, two Broadway tickets, valued at $400 and donated by WTBQ Radio, were won by Brittany Coene of Warwick. The duck adopted by Alex Skafidas of Warwick came in third and the prize was a home window treatment, valued at $300, provided by Custom Creations of Greenwood Lake.