Second annual Duck Derby a key fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters

By C.D. DESALVO
Hays Post

You might have already seen the signs all around town — the second annual Duck Derby will take place on Aug. 2 this year. The derby is a fundraiser for by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County where people can purchase rubber ducks that will race around the lazy river at the Hays Aquatic Park for a chance to win a big prize. The money goes to the Big Brothers Big Sisters, a program with the mission of changing the lives of local kids.

“We’re a mentoring organization. We have been around since 2000, matching kids one-on-one with a Big Brother, Big Sister, a couple, or family match,” said Jenny Bates, BBBS area director. “When someone pairs with a child, they are committing to meeting with them once a week or something close to that — taking them out, just doing things with them, spending time with them, encouraging them, just helping them feel better about themselves and achieve things in life that might come harder to some kids.”

One duck costs $5, six ducks (a gaggle) are $25, 12 ducks (a flock) are $50, and 25 ducks (a colony) are for $100. This year, there will be 10,000 ducks — double the amount that raced in 2016.

There will be four heats of 2,500 ducks per heat. The top 250 ducks of each heat will compete in a championship race to determine prize winners. A full set of rules can be found here.

The grand prize for winning the Duck Derby is a 2015 Chevrolet Spark, a collaboration between James Motor Co., Hays Chevrolet, Auto World, Car Zone, Lewis Automotive Group of Hays, Happy’s Auto and Mid Kansas Auto Auction.

In addition to the Duck Derby, there will be a “Duck Dash” for kids ages 12 and under and the “Hays ‘Merica Cardboard Regatta Challenge,” where local businesses build boats made of only cardboard and duct tape and race each other in the lap pool. There will also be free kids games and a picnic starting at 5:30 p.m.

The Duck Derby is Aug. 2 at the Hays Aquatic Park from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

You can learn more by visiting the Ellis Bigs Facebook here.

You can sign up for ducks here.