On the final day of Riverfront Nights, on Saturday, at 2 p.m., the Tennessee River may resemble a duck pond, as the Kiwanis Club of Chattanooga pours thousands of rubber ducks off the Walnut Street Bridge into the river in its annual Great Kiwanis Duck Race fundraiser.
Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Kiwanis Youth Foundation which funds local nonprofit organizations that work with underserved children and families.
During the race, more than 5,000 rubber ducks will be launched from the Walnut Street Bridge and will float down to the finish line at the new pier along on the Northshore. Each duck has a number, 1 – 5,500, and costs $5 to adopt for the great race. After three heats, the person holding the ticket number corresponding to the fastest floating duck will win $2,000. The prize for 2nd place is $1,000, and the 3rd place winner will win $500.
The Foundation awards grants to local organizations, helps fund the local playground builds and other service projects benefiting underserved children and families.
“The Great Kiwanis Duck Race is our largest fundraiser each year,” said Kiwanian Jules Parker. “We use the funds to support area organizations, both through our service projects and through grants. The odds of winning are a lot higher than in the lottery and watching all those ducks race down the river is a lot of fun. It’s a great was to spend the morning with family.”
To adopt a duck, email kiwanischatt@comcast.net or ask a club member. You must be 18 or older to purchase a ticket and winners do not have to be present to win.
For more information about the Kiwanis Club of Chattanooga visit them online at www.kiwanischatt.org, email them at kiwanischatt@comcast.net, or visit them on Facebook.