PORT ANGELES — Duck tickets go on sale today for the 28th annual Great Olympic Peninsula Duck Derby.
The annual derby, presented by the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, will offer duck ticket holders the opportunity to win a 2017 Toyota Corolla provided by Wilder Toyota during the race May 21.
Forty-five total prizes will be up for grabs this year, with proceeds benefiting the Olympic Medical Center Foundation and the Sequim Rotary Club’s charitable projects.
Each duck ticket will cost $6. For $30, adopters receive an extra duck (six chances to win) in the race.
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 volunteers.
Ducks will also be on sale daily at all Safeway stores in Port Angeles and Sequim, Swain’s, Bob Lovell’s Chevron and 76 convenience stores, Jim’s Pharmacy, Wilder Toyota, the Peninsula Daily News, Thomas Building Center, First Federal and several other locations.
“The OMC Foundation has given over $3.4 million to or on behalf of the hospital during the last 10 years,” said Lovell, race co-chair. “We look forward to adding to that total, as this is one of the most successful fundraisers that we do.”
The race will be at 2:30 p.m. at Lincoln Park in Port Angeles. It is operated under the rules of the Washington State Gambling Commission.
For each duck that’s 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 45 ducks to cross the finish line will win prizes.
Just prior to the main race, at 2 p.m., the Bub and Alice Olsen Very Important Duck (VID) Race will be held. Businesses and individuals, including those from outside the Peninsula who do business with local companies, purchase special VID ducks emblazoned with their logo, for $300, $600 and $1,200.
Entry into the corporate race also gets businesses entry into the main race. For $300, a business gets 60 ducks in the main race and one in the VID race. For $600, 120 ducks are purchased for the main race and two for the VID race. Paying $1,200 buys 240 ducks in the main race and four in the VID race.
On race day, the Kids’ Pavilion will add more entertainment.
“It’s a pretty awesome sight to see 30,000 ducks race,” said race co-chair Rick Smith. “It’s not really about expecting to win; it’s just knowing that you’re donating to a worthy cause that matters. Winning is secondary.”
For more information, call the OMC Foundation office at 360-417-7144.
