Rotary hosting duck race fundraiser on May 24

The Rotary Club will hold a duck-race fundraiser on May 24 to assist with costs of its food pantry project. The race will end start at the Van Street bridge over the Otter Creek and end at The Mill restaurant. From left to right are: Kristofer Layman, Alisha Layman, Farzana Chohan, Rick Cox (current president), Mike Cerna (with non- official race duck), Bob Aykroyd, Gloria Aykroyd (incoming president), Keith Hodgkinson, Jason Weiler (past president) and Jack Parker (past president). (Contributed Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Which duck is the fastest?

That will be the question for residents of Tillsonburg as they try to choose the duck they think will be the quickest in this unique fundraiser, which will be held on May 24. The catch is all of the rubber ducks involved in the race are the same, and which crosses the finish line first will be random.

Tickets are now on sale for $20 each, with 1,000 being the target. Each duck has a number, and the person with the number of the first duck across the line will receive $2,500. The second-place duck is worth $1,000 and third is $500.

Rotary member Kris Layman has been heading up the event. The Tillsonburg club rented the ducks from another Rotary Club for the day.

“We were given some advice on how long to do a duck race,” he said. “We were told 12-15 minutes, and we did a test, and that’s right in there.”

The test run also ensured that the run from the Van Street bridge to The Mill was straight.

“We’ll be starting 1,000 ducks off the bridge at 11 a.m.,” said Rotary president Rick Cox.

At the end of the race, there will be a chute, and the first duck through the chute will be the winner. All ducks will be collected at The Mill, and members will pick up any stuck en route. Layman advised anyone wanting to watch should walk if possible, as there is limited parking in The Mill parking lot. There is also a parking lot in Coronation Park.

The club is encouraging supporters to purchase online at duckrace.rotarytillsonburg.ca. Club members will also be selling tickets in person and during the book fair in the Tillsonburg Town Centre from April 26 to May 3. Tickets can also be purchased through e-transfer at duckrace@rotarytillsonburg.ca

“It’s much easier for everyone if they buy their duck online,” Cox said. “They get their ticket, they get their receipt.”

Proceeds from the event will support the Rotary Club’s food pantry project, which is part of the club’s 75th anniversary celebrations.

The duck race is a licensed lottery. If weather prevents the ducks from hitting the water, a random number draw will take place.