Andy Close
WARREN, Pa. – The City of Warren is about to get ducky.
The Rotary Club of Warren’s inaugural ‘Duck Derby’ will be held this Saturday, June 26 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Breeze Point Park, where over 1,000 rubber ducks will race along the Allegheny River.
“Bill and Brenda Jones had seen another Rotary Club have a Duck Derby, and said, why can’t we do that?” said current Rotary Club of Warren President Vicki Willman, “We have the Allegheny River and all these wonderful parks.”
Rotary, like many other organizations, was severely impacted by COVID-19, and at the time the idea came about in February, was looking for an idea that could be done if the restrictions that have since been lifted were still in place.
“We weren’t able to have our turkey party or pancake supper this past year,” Willman said. “We thought this is outdoors, and before the restrictions were lifted, we wanted something airy and breezy where people can come out and have a good time.”
Tickets are still being sold for $5 for one duck and can be purchased at White Cane Coffee or Stone Consulting. There is also a ‘Quack Pack’ of six ducks for $25 or a ‘Flock of Ducks’ which is 25 for $100.
Willman’s daughter, Erin, founded White Cane Coffee, along with the help of her parents.
The ducks will race at 3 p.m.
“They’re just little guys,” Willman explained. “We have a pool noodle lane. I know it’s at least 100 feet. We’re dumping all these ducks into a one duck chamber and the first four ducks are our winners.”
And people who purchase the winning ducks will be receiving prizes courtesy of the Clark St. businesses that neighbor Breeze Point Park – Allegheny Outfitters, Bent Run, Pennwild Outdoors and The Goat Fort.
There will be a kayak for first prize, a gift certificate to Bent Run valued at over $100 for second prize, one month of indoor climbing at The Goat Fort as the third prize and a gift certificate to Pennwild as the fourth prize valued at over $55.
“We’ve had very positive feedback, everyone is really excited,” Willman said. “This is something that young families can take their kids to and enjoy. There’s going to be face painting, and the heroes group is going to have sensory crafting and activities for kids to do. We’re going to have a duck-themed sprinkler going. We’re going to have balloons, food, and music. We’re just trying to make this a really fun family get-together.”
And all of it is going toward a great cause.
“It’s going to benefit the Lacy Park Multi-Sensory playground,” Willman explained. “We are going to be entering phase two, putting in a rubberized surface and replacing the wood chips, so kids with wheelchairs, crutches, and mobility issues will be able to get around and play easier.
The Rotary Club of Warren was instrumental in the development of the playground, which recently played host to the Warren Summer Celebration.
Glade Water Rescue will also be present for precautionary purposes and will have a table set up as well.
“We’re very grateful to have them,” Willman said.
For the Rotary Club, it is going to be a great event, one that is getting them back out into the community now that things are finally returning to normal after the pandemic.
“We wanted to get back into the community and maybe encourage some new people to join Rotary,” Willman said. “Rotary’s main theme is service before self, and that’s why Lacy Park is such a good fit for us.”
