PORT ANGELES — Tickets go on sale today for the 25th annual Duck Derby at Lincoln Park on Sunday, June 1.
During the derby, presented by the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe, all rubber duck “adoptive parents” will have chances to win prizes.
Some 30,000 rubber ducks will be dumped into the pond at the city park on West Lauridsen Boulevard, and 42 prizes worth more than a total of $25,000 will be up for grabs as the ducks “race” for the finish line.
The grand prize will be a 2014 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck or a Toyota Corolla provided by Wilder Toyota.
Proceeds will benefit the Olympic Medical Center Foundation and the Sequim Rotary Club’s charitable projects.
“The OMC Foundation has given $2.3 million to or on behalf of the hospital in the last eight years,” said race co-chair Bob Lovell.
“We look forward to adding to that total, as this is one of the most successful fundraisers that we do.”
Duck tickets can be purchased from members of the OMC Foundation, many OMC employees, Sequim Rotary Club members and Forks’ Soroptimist International of the Olympic Rainforest as well as volunteers.
Duck tickets also will be on sale daily at the Peninsula Daily News office at 305 W. First St. in Port Angeles, both Safeway stores in Port Angeles, Swain’s General Store, Albertsons, Lovell’s Chevron, Roadrunner 76, all First Federal locations on the North Olympic Peninsula and Jim’s Pharmacy.
The main event of the duck race will commence at 2:30 p.m.
Prior to the main race at 2 p.m., the Bub and Alice Olsen Very Important Duck (VID) Race will be held.
This is an opportunity for businesses and individuals, including those from outside the Peninsula who do business with local companies, to purchase special VID ducks emblazoned with their logos for $250 and $500 each.
On race day, the Kids’ Pavilion will be set up at Lincoln Park, along with refreshments. KONP radio will make live announcements of the winners.
Here’s how it works.
Duck tickets
For each duck that is 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 42 ducks to cross the finish line will win prizes.
Each duck ticket will cost $5. For $25, adopters receive an extra duck (six chances to win) in the race.
“It’s a pretty awesome sight to see more than 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 worthy causes that matter. Winning is secondary.”
For more information, phone the Olympic Medical Center Foundation at 360-417-7144 or visit its website at www.omhf.org.
