Published: July 30, 2009 07:10 am      

Aug. 8 date for annual duck race

The High Plains Outreach Center’s rubber ducks are ready to race.

“They’ve been in training now for over a year,” joked Thurman Fussell, executive director of the Outreach Center.

Fussell said this is the 15th year for the High Plains Outreach Center’s annual duck race which is held “to benefit the homeless shelter, which serves seven counties in Northwest Oklahoma: Beaver, Harper, Ellis, Woodward, Dewey, Major and Woods.”

Money raised through the race is used “for the general operating expenses of the homeless shelter,” Fussell said, noting “we receive no government funds whatsoever to help us with our day-to-day operations.”

“It’s just a constant struggle to have enough finances,” he said. “If it wasn’t for the gifts of local people and businesses we wouldn’t be able to make it.”

As one of the center’s most popular fundraisers, the duck race is also a big part of helping the shelter to make ends meet, Fussell said.

“It’s been a good money raiser for us,” he said, noting that is why the shelter has kept the event going year after year.

Beyond being successful, the duck race is also just fun, Fussell said.

“We normally have a few people come out to watch the race itself,” he said. “The little kids, especially like to see this. When we dump them in, the little kids get excited when they see those rubber ducks just swimming away.”

As part of the duck race fundraiser, area citizens have the opportunity to buy ducks at $25 each or $100 for five. Then on the day of the race, the rubber ducks are released onto Crystal Beach Lake and are led by the wind to the other side.

The first three ducks to reach the other side earn their purchasers some nice prizes, Fussell said.

First place wins a $1,500 travel voucher through Woodward Travel Service, second place wins a 32-inch flat screen television, and third place wins a gift certificate to Boiling Springs golf course good for 10 rounds of golf including green fees and cart, he said.

However, with the duck race just a little more than a week away, those wanting a chance at winning those prizes must act quickly, especially since the race is limited to a total of 300 ducks.

Although the ducks will be sold up until right before the race, as long as there are some left to sell, Fussell said that “it’s best if they are purchased ahead of time.”

To purchase a duck, contact the High Plains Outreach Center at 254-5162 or contact any Outreach Center board member.

The duck race will be held between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on August 8 at Crystal Beach Park. After the race, free hot dogs and sandwiches will be served to the public, Fussell said.