Published: April 24, 2008 12:35 pm            

The Ducky Derby: Annual event offers prizes

By Matt Smith

msmith@trcle.com



One of Cleburne’s most popular events, the Ducky Derby, returns Saturday to provide a year’s worth of bragging rights to one corporate sponsor and prizes for several lucky entrants.

The Derby, sponsored by the Buffalo Creek Association, and held in conjunction with Springfest, raises funds for the beautification of Buffalo Creek and to repair two of the creek’s dams in Hulen Park. Repairs and renovations include new light fixtures, flower beds and general landscaping, said Joe Browder, president of the association.

“A lot of people really look forward to [the Ducky Derby],” Browder said. “People have come to associate it with Buffalo Creek and Springfest.”

The Ducky Derby takes place at Buffalo Creek behind First Financial Bank and consists of three events, Browder said. The Corporate Duck Derby, beginning at 11 a.m., awards a trophy the winner can display until next year’s race. The best-designed corporate duck also wins an award. The entry price for corporate ducks is $100 per duck.

Everyone else can participate in the main Ducky Derby, which costs $5 and kicks off at 1 p.m. Entrants receive a number that corresponds to a number on one of the the thousands of rubber ducks that will be released to race to the finish line.

The winning duck will bag one lucky ticket holder a grand prize of $1,000. Other prizes include an iPod, a television, a canoe, a barbecue grill, a year’s worth of lawn treatment and two $25 gift certificates to Caddo Street Grill, Browder said.

“We’re blessed with a beautiful creek running though our city, and the Buffalo Creek Association has worked so hard and invested so much time in cleaning it up,” said Cathy Marchel, Cleburne Chamber of Commerce president. “This is a wonderful, fun event that enhances our community, shows it off, and brings it together. It also brings people in from out of town.”

The Cleburne Fire Department will again help out with the derby, Browder said, by helping move the ducks along, if necessary, using fire hoses. The firefighters, Home Depot and Lowe’s will also provide activities for children at the event, Browder said.

For information on purchasing a duck, call Browder at 817-641-1862.

        

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