PORT ANGELES — Tickets are on sale for the 26th annual Duck Derby at Lincoln Park on Sunday, May 31.
Ticket sales began Friday for the derby, presented by the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe, when all rubber duck “adoptive parents” will have chances to win prizes.
Some 30,000 rubber ducks will be dumped into the pond at the city park on West Lauridsen Boulevard, and 42 prizes worth more than a total of $25,000 will be up for grabs as the ducks “race” for the finish line.
The grand prize will be a 2015 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck or a Toyota Corolla provided by Wilder Toyota.
Each duck ticket costs $5. For $25, adopters receive an extra rubber duck (six chances to win) in the race.
Proceeds will benefit the Olympic Medical Center Foundation and the Sequim Rotary Club’s charitable projects.
“The OMC Foundation has given almost $3 million to or on behalf of the hospital during the last 10 years,” said Bob Lovell, who co-chairs the race with Rick Smith.
“We look forward to adding to that total, as this is one of the most successful fundraisers that we do.”
Duck tickets can be purchased from members of the OMC foundation, many Olympic Medical Center employees, Sequim Rotary Club members and the Forks Soroptimist International of the Olympic Rainforest, as well as from volunteers.
Tickets also are on sale at the Peninsula Daily News, 305 W. First St. in downtown Port Angeles, and at other locations.
The main event of the duck race will commence at 2:30 p.m.
At 2 p.m., prior to the main race, 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 logos for $250 and $500 each.
On race day, the Kids’ Pavilion will be set up at Lincoln Park, along with refreshments.
Here’s how it works.
Duck tickets
For each rubber 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.
“It’s a pretty awesome sight to see more than 30,000 ducks race,” Smith said.
“It’s not really about expecting to win; it’s just knowing that you’re donating to worthy causes that matter. Winning is secondary.”
For more information, phone the Olympic Medical Center Foundation at 360-417-7144 or visit its website at www.omhf.org.