THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
The 11th Annual FGV Ducky Derby Race will be held this Saturday, September 19, 2020, at 11 a.m. on Garnett Street in downtown Henderson.
Several changes from previous events will be in place due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The public is still welcome to join the fun in-person. Social distancing and masks will be required for all participants.
Proceeds from the annual event provide services for local families with children age five and younger. (Click here for article and video from last year’s event.)
This year, with the uncertainty surrounding event-planning, no individual tickets for rubber ducks were sold. Instead, Smart Start secured sponsors to support this event.
Approximately 2,000 rubber ducks will “race,” with each representing a child enrolled in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. Founded by singer and entertainer Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Foundation, the Imagination Library partners with Smart Start programs to offer youth one free book a month – via mail – from birth through age five.
Applications for the Imagination Library can be found at local pediatric offices, childcare centers, the Granville Vance Public Health Department, Maria Parham Health, libraries and the FGV Smart Start office.
The “lucky duck” [child] who wins the Ducky Derby will receive the grand prize of free Chick-fil-A for a year.
“We wanted to have something for the public; so many things aren’t going to happen this fall. We decided we wanted something that we can still have and – possibly – people could come out and see,” stated Garry Daeke, outreach coordinator for FGV.
Those not able to attend in-person can view the event live on the FGV Smart Start Facebook page.
To enroll your child in the Imagination Library or with questions, please call FGV Smart Start at (252) 433-9110.