It’s been three years since the Milford Duck Race was held and the last yellow duck floated across the finish line…but that is about to change. June 9, 2018 will see the return of the fun family event, as the United Way of Milford and the Woodruff Family YMCA join forces to dump up to 10,000 yellow ducks into the Wepawaug River for what is sure to be an exciting race. The two agencies, evenly sharing both the expenses and the proceeds of the event, recently purchased the ducks and all the race-related equipment from St. Gabriel School. The school had sponsored the race for many years until it closed in 2016.
Gary Johnson, president and CEO of the United Way, cites declining revenues and the desire to find some different ways to raise money as an incentive to revitalize the duck race.
“We are happy to be able to bring this event back to Milford. It’s a great community project and encourages family involvement,” said Johnson.
Event co-chairman Tom Lawlor agrees, but admits the endeavor is a huge undertaking. “We want to start small and create a fun day for more than just those who are participating in the race.” He notes that the depth of the United Way Executive Board and the breadth of the YMCA membership makes the collaboration of the two agencies a perfect fit. He is also appreciative of the support being offered by some of the key people who ran the race for St. Gabriel School. “They were passionate about the event and have been really helpful,” he said.
If you have never heard of the duck race, participants purchase raffle certificates which are numbered to correspond with a number located on each duck. Sales of the certificates will begin in April, once all the permits and approvals are place. $5 will get you a registration number for one duck and the chance to win one of 100 prizes. There will be five “top prizes” according to Johnson, along with smaller prizes of gift certificates and other donations, all due to the generosity of many local sponsors. The organizers hope to have an online option as well as locations around town where folks can “adopt” a duck. You may even see a big yellow duck or other volunteers making their way to key sites and events to drum up sales.
The starting time for the race will be determined in the near future since it will be dependent on the tide. Visitors can watch the ducks make their way down the river from the starting point near Stonebridge Restaurant, passing under the Memorial Bridge and Hotchkiss Bridge, to the finish line “funnel” in the harbor near Fowler Field and Founder’s Walk.
To get more information on race details visit milfordduckrace.com and submit your name and email address for updates. Then be sure to head down to the harbor on June 9th to cheer on the ducks as they paddle downstream towards the finish line!
—Susan Glennon
