Tag Archive for: #duckderby

Ducky Derby

TownTalk: Ducky Derby Is September 21st

/by

Head to downtown Henderson on Saturday, Sept. 21 to watch the annual “release” of ducks down Garnett Street.

It’s the 15 annual Ducky Derby to benefit the Franklin Granville Vance Smart Start, and Kimiko Williams said it’s sure to be an afternoon of fun for all.

This year’s festivities begin at 1 p.m., with activities for the children along the race course, – which will become a watery route for when the ducks are spit out the back of the cement mixer to make their way to the finish line.

The ceremonial cement mixer will churn the rubber ducks out onto the street promptly at 2 p.m. at Breckenridge Street – the finish line is a couple of blocks away, near Montgomeryt Street, Williams explained on Tuesday’s TownTalk.

Purchase tickets to sponsor a duck – the first duck to cross the finish line wins $1,000. Second place is Chick fil A for a year, third place is a $250 Sheetz gas card and the last rubber duck to cross the finish line gets $100.

In addition, FGV Smart Start will have a raffle for the cost of a month’s child care.

Organizers say they hope to raise $15,000 this year. Most of the money comes from ticket purchases, but there are community sponsors and in-kind supporters that help add to the bottom line, said Linda Frederickson, FGV Early Childhood Systems director.

And while families must qualify for some of the programs the early childhood agency offers, Frederickson said the Family Resource Centers are available for anyone who wants to learn more.

One resource center is located at the FGV office in Henderson; a second is located on the campus of the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford; and a third is located at Franklinton Elementary School.

“The big spotlight is on the children,” Frederickson said, not just on Derby Day but all year long.

Purchase tickets online at www.fgvsmartstart.org, or from any FGV staff member.

CLICK PLAY!

 

TownTalk: The 2023 Ducky Derby is Here!

/by

There’s a deluge expected in downtown Henderson next month, but you won’t find details on any weather app or forecast – not even the farmer’s almanac. Flooding will be minimal and isolated to Garnett Street, officials say – just long enough for that last little rubber ducky to cross the finish line.

No need to gather your rain gear just yet – it’s just the 14th annual Ducky Derby!

This year’s event takes place Saturday, Sept. 16 in downtown Henderson, with the Henderson Fire Department supplying the water and Greystone Concrete Products pouring the ducks from one of its cement mixers.

The Franklin Granville Vance Smart Start hosts the annual fundraiser and Garry Daeke was on Tuesday’s TownTalk to share details and how to purchase tickets.

“We hope to have a good day and have fun – it’s always a blast,” Daeke said.

Ducks are $5 each, or you can purchase more than one and save a little cash – a Quack Pack is 5 ducks for $20 and a Flock gets you 25 ducks for $100. Tickets are available the day of the derby, too.

“I’m continually excited about how much fun people have” Daeke said. The fun includes children’s games, food trucks and music. This year, there’s a “blender bike” that kids can use to pedal their way to create their own smoothies.

And there are prizes for the top three finishers, as well as for that last little straggler to cross the finish line.

First prize is $1,000, second prize is Chick-fil-A for a year and third prize is a $250 gas card from Sheetz. The last duck wins $100.

Tickets are available from FGV staff or board members and by calling the FGV office at 252.433.9110. You can reach Daeke at the office or at 252.432.3145.

The event begins at 11 a.m. and continues through 2 p.m.

The race begins at Garnett and Breckenridge streets and the finish line is at Orange Street.

Sponsorships are available; contact Daeke to become a sponsor.

“We get new folks every year that want to be a part of what’s going on downtown,” he said.

Click Play!

Little Ducks Raise Big Bucks

/by

It’s always fun when the weather is right, people are excited, ultimately kids benefit and somebody wins something.

That’s what happened this past Saturday at the Duck Derby in downtown Henderson, and Garry Daeke, development coordinator with Franklin Granville Vance Smart Start sounded nothing but pleased when WIZS caught up with him late Monday afternoon by phone.

“It went great. We had a beautiful stay. We had a good steady crowd all day. When we did the race itself, we lined the sidewalks almost all the way down. I guess we got a 150 people out there I think. It was very nice,” he said.

And while it was about fun, games, education and getting out in one’s own downtown, the bigger purpose that’s often right there too is money.

Daeke said, “We had sold 1,779 tickets pre. And we sold about 200, I think (at the event). So right at 2,000 duck tickets sold. We’ll get the final numbers after we back out the expenses. With the ticket sales and sponsors, I think we’ll do about $10,000 net.”

He said the winners came from a smattering of locations across the three county area including the $1,000 winner having purchased the ticket at the event. Winners not present were notified by phone Monday.

It’s FGV Downtown Henderson DUCK DERBY 2021 BABY!

/by

The 12th annual Ducky Derby race is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021 in downtown Henderson.

The race, which begins at 12 noon, will have a special twist – the winners will all be child care providers in the tri-county area, according to Garry Daeke, development coordinator for Franklin Granville Vance Smart Start, Inc.

The event again will flood Garnett Street with rubber duckies to raise money for ongoing services for families with children ages 0-5.

“This year we are celebrating our child care professionals who have persevered through challenging times to continue to provide quality early childhood education, and the winner(s) of our prizes will be from the child care community,” Daeke said.

The public is still invited to attend, and Daeke said tickets will be sold online only. “Our idea is to honor our child care programs and workers who have had a most difficult year, as you can imagine,” Daeke told WIZS News.

Daeke said the support of sponsors will be especially important this year. Sponsorship levels are $500 – Super Duck, $250 – Feathered Friend, and $100 Quacker Backer

Call Daeke at 252.433.9110 ext. 227 to learn more.

Buy ducks online at https://fgvsmartstart-2021-ducky-derby.cheddarup.com