uac041812001.jpg What do a flock of ducks and Cumberland County nonprofi ts have in common? If you guessed the second annual floating of the Fayetteville Duck Derby then you were right on the money.

The derby, which was one of the most exciting events to occur last year, is set to return to the banks of the Cape Fear River on Saturday, May 5, at Campbellton Landing. For those who attended the event last year, expect things to be bigger and better.

You may be asking yourself, “What is a duck derby?” The folks who organize the derby can explain it best.

Patrons just like you adopt a duck through the organization for $5. Each adoption has a registration number that is tagged on a duck. Depending on adoptions, 15,000 to 20,000 ducks will race down the Cape Fear River. The duck that fi nishes fi rst wins the grand prize, the following four ducks will also receive prizes.

The prizes are not too shabby. The first prize winner receives a 2012 Toyota Scion TC, courtesy of Rick Hendrick Toyota. The second-place winner gets to go on a Las Vegas Getaway. Third prize is a catered Cape Fear River Cruise. Fourth place is a set of tires from Goodyear, and fifth place is a year membership at the Spa Fitness & Wellness Center, along with gift certifi cates to the Renaissance European Day Spa.

So now that you know what is in it for you, it’s important to know what’s in it for the community. Fayetteville’s Flock is comprised of local non-profi ts, led by Fayetteville Urban Ministries, that will receive a portion of the proceeds04-18-12-duckderbylogo.jpg from the Fayetteville Duck Derby. It’s the goal of the organization to involve as many local nonprofits as possible. Each non-profit is asking its supporters to purchase ducks in support of the specific non-profit. To date, there are 39 local non-profits who have signed up to participate and benefit from the derby.

The organization is also looking for corporate sponsors to organize corporate teams to raise money for their favorite non-profit. There are more than 30 corporate sponsors on board, and there is still time to sign up if you want to work to make the community better. 

To create more excitement about the event and to get more ducks adopted — to date, more than 5,500 ducks have been adopted — local restaurants are also getting in on the act. The second annual Duck Derby Drink and Appetizer Competition will continue through the end of the month. You can visit any of the participating restaurants, try their specialty appetizer and drink designed specifi cally for the Duck Derby and vote for your favorite. If you have the time, you can try them all!

Participating restaurants include: Blue Moon, Chris’s Open Hearth Steak House, Hellas Restaurant & Sports Bar, Hilltop House, Huske Hardware Restaurant & Brewery, IT’Z Entertainment City, Luigi’s Italian Restaurant & Bar, Mash House Brewery & Chophouse Restaurant, Pierro’s Italian Restaurant and The Wing Company. Ducktivities that take place on the day event have something to offer for the entire family. The event kicks off at noon at Campbellton Landing. Events throughout the day include wagon rides on the river trail by Jenkins’ Place, live music on the amphitheater stage, boat rides by Cape Fear River Boats and performa04-18-12-ducks-swimming.jpgnces by the Kidsville Kids and the Falcon Children’s Home Choir.

Of course, there will be a number of food and merchandise vendors on hand so you don’t have to worry about eating before you come, you can simply come out and spend the day. A number of wineries will also be on hand, as well as the Budweiser Girls.

There will also be a Kid’s Zone set up complete with bounce houses, Rattler Jake, a train, arts and crafts and visits by several local mascot celebrities including the Duck Derby’s own Quacky and Kidsville! News’ Truman.

Of course, the main event of the day is the release of the ducks into the river and the race to the fi nish line.

For more information about Fayetteville Duck Derby or to adopt a duck or volunteer, please visit the website at www. fayettevilleduckderby.com.

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