Just ducky.
The seventh annual Housy Duck Race Saturday during the Derby Day festival is expected to be just that.
The race sponsored by St. Mary-St. Michael School is one of the school’s biggest fundraisers.
It will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday and the starting line is the Derby-Shelton Bridge.
The ducks are dumped from a payloader into the Housatonic River, and a boom is set up before the train trestle to stop the ducks from continuing downstream.
Organizer Grace Torres said Thursday that 2,200 duck raffle tickets have been sold.
“So far that’s the highest number sold going into the race,” Torres said. The tickets are $5 each.
The race this year was opened up to area nonprofits. Those groups sold ducks and are being allowed to keep a cut of their duck race sales.
Some of the local organizations that have sold raffle tickets are Boy Scout Troop 3, Spooner House, Derby Elks Lodge, and Catholic War Veterans Post 1562 in Derby. Nonprofits make $2 for each ticket sold.
Torres said her goal is to grow the nonprofit participation. “The race was (originally) based on community building,” she said.
There are 65 prizes available during to race, including a $1,000 first prize, a 48-inch TV second prize, a gas grill third prize, gift baskets, and gift certificates.
The St. Mary-St. Michael School will have a “Duck Land” booth on the Green during Derby Day.
Torres said Duck Land will feature a bounce house, an obstacle course, games, and face painting.
The city’s Cultural Commission will present Derby Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Saturday, rain or shine, on Elizabeth Street and the Derby Green.
The family-oriented festival features a variety of ethnic and American foods, arts and crafts, an obstacle course, rock climbing wall, children’s activities, and live musical performances.
Cultural Commission Chairperson Laura Brezina said the Dave Mack Band will perform Motown hits from 1 – 3 p.m.; followed by party rock/dance music by FB Lily from 3 – 5 p.m.
As in the past young and old will be able to enjoy rides around the Green on the Roaming Railroad.
Brezina said Mysterious Mike, a juggler/unicyclist, will perform starting at 11:30 a.m.
About 80 vendors are expected to set up shop, she said.
For updated information about events scheduled visit the commission’s Facebook page.
