September 21, 2008 09:32 pm
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By Edd Davis
ed@athensnews-courier.com
All is quiet now save for the occasional quacking demand for a sliver of bread from a Big Spring Memorial Park feathered floater. But that all changes Saturday October 4 at 4 p.m. when the real daffy ducks make way for their bright-yellow rubber counterparts in the annual Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby.
Have you “adopted” your ducks, yet?
Can’t go wrong for a tax-deductible $5 each. When you consider the adoption could bring you a cool $1,000 cash prize, it’s really an investment. Ducks are available for adoption at Railroad Bazaar, Athens-Limestone Recycling Center, Compass Bank, Dub’s, The News Courier and West End Outdoors – Chevron.
“We also encourage people to drop by, see our new offices and adopt their ducks on East Street at the College Inn building,” said Lynne Hart, KALB executive coordinator. It’s just a few steps from Big Spring Park.
Duck adoption forms are also available online at www.KeepAthensLimestoneBeautiful.com.
Whether you adopt from a participating sponsor or online you do not have to be present at the derby to win a prize.
And Hart said the prizes just keep getting better each year. “I can’t say enough nice things about the businesses that donate them, especially the folks at IN2 Wireless/Verizon and Railroad Bazaar for the $1,000 grand prize,” she said.
Here’s a quick rundown of what your $5 donation per duck could get you:
• One of nine $100 cash prizes donated by McClary Ford, Athens-Limestone Hospital, Athens State University, The News Courier, Crews, Inc., Athens-Limestone Recycling Center, Latham, Moffatt, & Wise Attorneys, William Pepper Insurance Agency and Dubois Properties.
• A $250 gift certificate from Osborne Jewelers
• A $100 gift certificate from Hobbs Jewelry
• Two three-month memberships to the Wellness Center
• A $50 gift certificate from Applebee’s Restaurant
• A $25 gift certificate from Pablo’s on Market
• A case of Pepsi every month for a year from the Pepsi Cola Bottlers of Decatur
• A teeth whitening treatment from Athens Dental Services
• A $100 gift certificate from Jimmy Smith Pontiac-Buick-GMC
• Brunch for two at Joe Wheeler State Park
• Multiple meal coupons from Chick-fil-A
You name each duck you adopt and come race time they will also be assigned a number. To be in the running for a prize your adopted duck(s) must be one of the first 10 to finish in one of two heats. That will move the 20 finalists to the Grand Championship Race also known as the guaranteed prize round. The owner of the winning duck receives the $1,000 grand prize and the other prizes are awarded according to finish position.
There is still plenty of time to adopt and Hart says things are going well.
“We had a table at Art on the Square last weekend and had a great adoption turnout and that’s usually a good barometer of how things are going,” she said. “At the same time, many people typically wait until the last minute. So, in addition to the duck adoptions being available around town, we will have a table at the fiddler’s convention on Friday and until 1:30 Saturday afternoon.” This is the second consecutive year for the race to coincide with the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention at Athens State University.
Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby is KALB’s biggest fundraiser. Hart said the 2007 event brought in $3,000 with more than 500 rubber ducks in the race.
For more information, visit www.KeepAthensLimestoneBeautiful.com or call (256) 233-8728.
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