Rubber ducks to race on Sunday
Peninsula Daily News
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Well, the rubber ducks won't quack, but they will float after they splash into the Nippon Paper Industries canal during the main event of the 19th annual Duck Derby at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
So far, 27,600 tickets have been sold, some 3,000 more than at the same time in 2007, said Bruce Skinner, one of the race's organizers.
The VID — Very Important Duck — race will precede the main event at 5 p.m.
About 10 minutes after the plastic ducks are dumped into the canal, the winning duck is expected to nudge the shore at the leading edge of the yellow tide.
By about 5:45 p.m. or 6 p.m., the winner — known by the number on the first duck to bobble to the shore — is expected to be announced.
Grand prize is a brand new Toyota Tundra pickup truck provided by Wilder Toyota.
There will be 43 additional prizes, including cash prizes sponsored by the 7 Cedars Casino and gift certificates worth up to $500.
For the VID Race, businesses and individuals — including those from outside the North Olympic Peninsula who do business with local companies — can purchase special VID ducks emblazoned with their logo for $250 each.
A pavilion with kids' games and refreshments will be located next to the race venue.
KONP 1450 AM will air the races live.
Get a duck in the race
Those who still want to get a duck in the race can buy tickets through today — as well as at the race site itself on Sunday at Nippon Paper Industries at 1815 Marine Drive in Port Angeles.
Duck tickets can be purchased from the Peninsula Daily News, Olympic Medical Center Foundation members, many OMC employees, Sequim Rotary Club members, Forks' Soroptimist International of the Olympic Rainforest and many businesses.
Each $5 duck comes with more than $20 worth of money-saving coupons, donated by Peninsula businesses.
A $25 purchase buys five duck tickets and a rubber duck to take home or tickets on six ducks in the race.
For each duck that's adopted, the purchaser will receive a ticket with a printed number, which corresponds to a number on the duck.
Proceeds will go to OMC foundation to purchase medical equipment for the medical center and for Sequim Rotary Club's charitable projects.
High sales
By this time in 2007, the Duck Derby had sold about 24,000 tickets had been sold to the Duck Derby.
Eventually, about 36,000 were sold.
That "was a record year," Skinner said.
With sales higher than at the same time last year, Skinner hopes for another banner year.
"We just didn't think we'd sell any more than last year."
The reason for the success of fundraiser?
"We have great sales people," Skinner said.
Kim Wakefield is the top seller, having sold 1,857 duck tickets, Skinner said.
John Wahl, who sells every day of the 30-day selling period in [Port Angeles] Safeway, has sold 1,672.
Gail Ralston and Tanya Smith, who sell as a team, have sold 1,566.
Next is Caroline Putman with 1,418; Rand Thomas, 1,400; Bill Littlejohn, 1,391; Edie Beck, 959; Bub Olsen, 763; George Gurr, 605; and Leslie English, 575.
Wakefield is also the top VID seller, having sold 31 tickets to that race.
Next is Thomas with 28; Littlejohn, 26.5; Putman, 24; Ralston and Smith, 15.5; Beck, 13; Olsen, 11; English, 10; Tina Hillman, 9; and Dick and Delores Kent, 8.5.
Skinner, executive director of the OMC foundation, said that each year, the group nominates "someone who has supported the duck race, the foundation and the community."
The "Top Ducks" for 2008 are Ralston and Smith.
"Not only do they sell a lot of ducks (18,000 between them over the 19-year history of the race), but they also are heavily involved in almost every foundation activity — Festival of Trees, the Christmas Tree Lights Bus Tour/Dinner and the Fiesta San Antonio fundraiser," Skinner said.
Wilder Toyota
Skinner said that in addition to Wilder Toyota providing a truck as the winning prize every year, "they also hold their own contest," Skinner said.
Ducks have been placed in the back of a truck, and people are invited to come by the dealership until Saturday to guess how many ducks are in the truck.
The winner will get a round trip for two to Las Vegas, Skinner said.
For more information about the Duck Derby, phone Skinner at the OMC foundation, 360-417-7144.
Last modified: May 15. 2008 9:00PM