PORT ANGELES — Volunteers will be quacking up their efforts for the 24th annual North Olympic Peninsula Duck Derby. Tickets are now on sale for the benefit Sunday, June 9.
During the derby, some 30,000 rubber ducks will be dumped into the pond at Lincoln Park, which is in the area of 1500 W. Lauridsen Blvd. in west Port Angeles, and 42 prizes worth more than a total of $25,000 will be up for grabs.
During the derby, presented by the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe, all rubber duck “adoptive parents” will have chances to win prizes, including a 2013 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck or a Toyota Corolla provided by Wilder Toyota.
Proceeds will benefit Olympic Medical Center’s Obstetrics and New Family Services through Olympic Medical Center Foundation and the Sequim Rotary Club’s charitable projects.
The slogan for this year’s race is “Buy a Duck and Help an Infant,” said Bruce Skinner, executive director of the OMC Foundation.
Duck tickets can be purchased at the Peninsula Daily News, 305 W. First St., in downtown Port Angeles and from other outlets, as well as from members of the OMC Foundation, many Olympic Medical Center employees, Sequim Rotary Club members and the Forks’ Soroptimist International of the Olympic Rainforest and volunteers who pitch in to raise money for the project.
“The time, effort, labor and equipment that various groups put into the Duck Derby to make this event successful year after year shows how each of us contributes to make this area such a great place to live,” said Bob Lovell, Duck Derby co-chair along with Rick Smith.
“So many individuals and organizations are tireless with their donations and work in this community to help make it what it is,” Lovell said.
Here’s how it works.
Duck tickets
For each duck that is adopted, the purchaser receives a ticket with a printed number that corresponds to a number on the duck.
All of the numbered ducks are dumped into the Lincoln Park Pond on race day, and the “owners” of the first 42 ducks to cross the finish line will win prizes.
Each duck ticket will cost $5. For $25, adopters receive an extra duck (six chances to win) in the race.
Just prior to the main race at 1 p.m., the Bub and Alice Olsen Very Important Duck (VID) Race will be held.
This is an opportunity for businesses and individuals, including those from outside the Peninsula who do business with local companies, to purchase special VID ducks emblazoned with their logo for $250 and $500 each.
On race day, the Kids’ Pavilion will be set up at Lincoln Park, along with refreshments. KONP radio will make live announcements of the winners.
For more information, potential owner/racers can contact the OMC Foundation at 360-417-7144 or visits its website at www.omhf.org.
