19,500 ducks race down the river in Drake Park
The 2023 Great Drake Park Duck Race raised almost $100K for Central Oregon non-profits CASA, Education Foundation for Bend-La Pine Schools, Furnish Hope, MountainStar Family Relief Nursery, Neighbor Impact, Saving Grace, and Sleep in Heavenly Peace. This year marks the 34th consecutive year of local Rotary clubs, businesses and community members raising much-needed funds for local nonprofit organizations. As the Duck Race raised over $96,000, over $2 million has been raised since it began in the late 1980s.
On Sunday, September 10, thousands of the colorful ducks were excited to hit the water and show off their racing skills. Spectators eagerly awaited and cheered at the Galveston Bridge “starting line” as 19,500 plastic ducks splashed into the river, competing to be first to cross the finish line.
$5,000 cash was top prize of 21 offered
In the end, the winning bright pink duck outpaced the pack for first place earning their ticket holder the Grand Prize of $5,000 cash! The other 2023 Great Drake Park Duck prizes won included 4 Adult ’23/24 season ski passes to Hoodoo, 4 rounds of golf at Widgi Creek, 2 8-punch pickleball cards, Milwaukee 4-tool combo, Signature 1/2 carat diamond earrings, a Wanderlust tour, a TV, sound equipment, dinner with local celebrity Gary Lewis, a pizza over, and several gift cards for local businesses valued from $250 to $500.
Sponsors key as the Duck Race raised over $96,000
The Great Drake Park Duck Race is presented by local Rotary clubs and sponsored by Credit Unions Working Together (First Community, Mid Oregon, OnPoint, Oregon Community and SELCO). Because of the generosity of the title and prize sponsors, the Duck Raised raised over $96,000 that will be provided to the seven non-profit beneficiaries.
2023 prize sponsors include Bella Nuova Day Spa, Cascade Insurance Group, Century Insurance, Lewis Outdoors, Hoodoo Ski Area, Hutch’s Bicycles, Johnson Brothers Appliance, Les Schwab, Loud & Clear A/V Systems, Miller Lumber, PacificSource Medicare, PayneWest Insurance, The Pennbrook Company, RBC Wealth Management. Saxon’s Fine Jewelers, Stereo Planet, and Zivney Financial Group. Media and other sponsors include Bend Radio Group (Mix 100.7, KSJJ 102.9, Power 94, 92.9FM), The Bulletin, Cascades Business News, Central Oregon Daily, Combined Communications (99.7 The Bull, KBND, 101.7, 107.7 Gold, 98.3 The Twins, 101.7), News Channel 21, and Source Weekly. In-kind support includes Carlson Sign, Humore.us, and Sign Pro.