EDITOR’S NOTE — Once verified, a list of Duck Derby winners and their prizes will be posted this afternoon at this website, www.peninsuladailynews.com.
PORT ANGELES — A raft of 26,000 rubber ducks, big and small, will race across the Lincoln Park pond in the 26th annual Great Olympic Peninsula Duck Derby today.
Ducks will be dumped into the water, then sent skittering across the pond by firehoses — using water from the pond itself — staffed by members of the Port Angeles Fire Department and Clallam County Fire District No. 2.
Oversized yellow racing ducks will be in the Bub and Alice Olsen Very Important Duck Race at 2 p.m., followed by about 26,000 of their smaller cousins for the main Duck Derby at 2:30 p.m.
The grand prize duck — the one that reaches the end of a chute first in the main race — will win its ticket-holder the choice of a 2015 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck or a Toyota Corolla sedan, donated by Wilder Toyota.
The next 43 ducks at chute’s end will earn prizes worth more than $25,000 in total.
Prizes include cash, gift certificates to local businesses and donated materials or services.
There are also prizes for the winners in the earlier Olsen VIP race.
Hospital, Rotary
Proceeds from the Duck Derby benefit the Olympic Medical Center Foundation and the Sequim Rotary Club’s charitable projects.
Last year, the Olympic Medical Center Foundation donated $400,000 to Olympic Medical Center — $26,000 from the derby — to help fund hospital needs in the cardiac unit, the cancer center, the obstetrics unit and the physical therapy center, said Bruce Skinner, foundation executive director.
This year, the foundation expects to contribute to the cardiac unit, the cancer center and likely the expanded emergency room project, Skinner said.
“It changes from year to year,” he said.
Still available
Ducks tickets are still available.
About 20,000 had been sold as of Wednesday, and sales will continue at a booth near the Lincoln Park pond right up to today’s 2 p.m. start of the races, said George Hill, director of events for the foundation.
Tickets cost $5 each, or $25 for six.
Spectator show
Winners do not need to be present, though hundreds of spectators watch each year from the banks of the pond.
The Kids Pavilion will be open before the races for children’s activities and entertainment.
The Duck Derby is operated under the rules of the Washington State Gambling Commission, according to the Olympic Medical Center Foundation website.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
