Ducks race in Williamsburg to benefit American Cancer Society

More than 250 rubber ducks took to the lazy river at Kentucky Splash Water Park Saturday in the fourth annual race to benefit the American Cancer Society.

After Whitley County Relay Chair Paul Mattney dropped the ducks from a plastic bag for the one-lap race, they began the trek, taking about 15 minutes to complete the circuit.

“It isn’t necessarily the duck in the lead at the start that wins the race,” Mattney said. “A duck can be in the back of the pack one minute and in the lead the next.”

The winning duck’s sponsor, Dennis Brewer of Corbin, received a 32-inch flat screen television courtesy of Hamlin and Kersey.
At $5  per duck, the event raised more than $2,500 for the Whitley County Relay for Life, which will be held Friday night at the Whitley County Middle School track.

All proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society.

“Everything went well,” Mattney said of the duck race. “We will be back in 2012 for the fifth annual duck race. We will start selling ducks around the first of May.”

Mattney said the race is made possible because of the public’s support along with the generosity of the owners at Hamblin and Kersey and Kentucky Splash.

“We couldn’t do this without them,” Mattney said.

While relay officials were at Kentucky Splash selling ducks to race, Teco Coal, Sharper Image and Community Trust Bank team members had purchased and dressed up four of the racing ducks’ larger cousins.

Teco Coal had the, “miner” duck complete with hardhat, goggles and headlamp. Sharper Image had the “diva” duck, sporting red hair extensions, white feathers and a pink necklace. Her nest was made of blue satin with green palm trees.
Community Trust Bank entered the “bride” duck, wearing a white veil and pink lipstick.

A fourth entry was the “groom” duck wearing a black tuxedo. Each group or individual paid $25 to purchase the duck. Visitors to Kentucky Splash were encouraged to vote for their favorite duck by placing money into the respective containers. As of Monday, Mattney said the winner had not been determined.

While the entries were limited, organizers noted there was substantial interest in purchasing the larger ducks.

The relay will kick off at 6 p.m. Friday with the survivors’ lap, recognizing area individuals who have beat cancer.

About 9:30 p.m., Mattney said the luminaries lining the track will be lit. The luminaries are in memory of friends and/or family members who have lost the fight against cancer or in honor of a survivor. The luminaries are $5 each and will be available through team members, at the relay or by contacting Mattney at 523-4221 or 528-1134.

Mattney said 17 teams have signed up to participate. After raising $52,000 in 2010, the goal has been increased to $65,000 in 2011.

Anyone who would like to help sponsor a team may contact Mattney or go online to www.relayforlife.org.