Sandi Wallace, Chairman of the 2006 3rd Annual Great American Duck Race opens a meeting on
Monday afternoon to begin plans for the event.

 

"They're Thinkin' About Ducks!"

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

 

Members of the 2006 "Duck" Committee met at Plain and Fancy Sandwich Shoppe, on Monday afternoon, at 5:15, to begin the plans for this year's 3rd Annual Great American Duck Race, that will be featured on Saturday, September 16th, immediately following the World Champion Stew Contest. The event has become one of the highlights of the Hopkins County Fall Festival, as everyone is gathered following the stew contest and are able to "cheer" their duck to the finish line, in the race.

 

Duck Race Committee members discuss plans for the upcoming race on September 16th.

 

Rules and format for the contest will remain the same as the past two years, advised Sandi Wallace, chairman of this year's event. "Individuals will be able to purchase ducks for $5.00 each and they will be released in the creek, to float toward the finish line, and the first three ducks to cross the line, will win," explained Wallace. "Then, we'll again give a prize for the 'Lame Duck' who finishes last in the contest!"

Wallace and her committee determined that tickets for the ducks will go on sale in approximately 10 days and sponsors for the contest are being secured. Lydia Walden, a committee member and on-staff at Como-Pickton ISD, is challenging other rural school districts in Hopkins County to sell more ducks than her school. A prize will be given for the rural school that sells the most ducks for the race.

This scene from the 2005 Duck Race shows the excitement that exists prior to the beginning of the annual race.

 

"The City of Sulphur Springs staff will once again flood the creek with water from the emptying of the city swimming pool," reported Wallace. "And, we are not going up on the price of ducks, due to the shortage of water, this year. We're not like the oil companies!"

Members of the committee will also be pre-selling tickets at a Wal-Mart location on Saturday, September 9th, and at various locations throughout the community. Then, tickets will be available on the Civic Center grounds before the race begins, on September 16th.

Police Chief, Jim Bayuk will again serve as the official race official and
name the winner at the finish line.

 

Plan on purchasing your duck, to make certain you have the opportunity to win the top $500.00 prize, while supporting your community!

 

"Reflections of the Mother Duck"........Sandi Wallace reflects on the upcoming race, after being declared
"The Mother Duck" and being presented by this replica of the racing duck!

 

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