What do you get when you dump 20,000 ducks in a river?
Along with 20,000 wet quackers, you’ll also get a bunch of happy people at the 23rd Annual Sertoma Duck Race Festival presented by Ozark Chevrolet June 21-22 at the Finley River Park in Ozark.
Bradley A. Jackson, duck race coordinator and Christian County’s Eastern District commissioner, said everyone attending will find something to enjoy.
“It’s just a great community event,” Jackson said. “It’s a big party. If you can’t find something to do at the duck race, I don’t know what to do.”
The centerpiece of the 4C Sertoma fundraiser is the race where rubber ducks that have been “adopted” for a fee are dumped by the barrel off a bridge that crosses the Finley River. Prizes are awarded for the first 15 ducks to cross the finish line.
First prize is a shiny black Chevy Camaro convertible, second is designer jewelry valued at $1,200 from Mitchum Jewelers and third is a $1,000 gift card from Signal Gas Stations. The next 12 ducks to cross the finish line win gift baskets filled with prizes from Christian County businesses.
Several activities are planned for the festival surrounding the duck race, including rides, a cornhole tournament, a craft fair, a beer garden, food trucks, fireworks, live music, a pie eating contest and much more. New this year is a drone light show that will take place with the fireworks.
Balloon Glow will light up Friday night
Activities also include the annual Children’s Smile Center Hot Air Balloon Glow at 8:45 p.m. June 21. This Friday night event involves several tethered hot air balloons providing a 60- to 90-minute light show.
The 18th Annual Glow presented by Ozark Chevrolet is the largest fundraising event of the year for Children’s Smile Center, which provides dental care to children ages 1-19 covered by Missouri Medicaid who live in Christian, Stone, Taney, Dade, Barry or Lawrence counties through clinics in Ozark, Branson West and Aurora.
“We are grateful to local corporate sponsors for underwriting this event and providing funds to help provide our dental clinics to people from low-income families served by Medicaid,” executive director Jackie Barger said in a news release. “Because of this support, we are privileged to put smiles on many faces, just like our GLOW.”
Entrance to the Sertoma Duck Race festival is free with fees charged for parking, activities, food and rides.
One sawbuck gets you one duck
Ducks can be adopted at Ozark Chevrolet and Hometown Sports Print House in Ozark, Signal Gas Stations in Ozark and Nixa and at www.SertomaDuckRace.com.
Cost is $10 for one duck, $50 for six ducks or $100 for 13. Adoptions end June 21.
In 2023, the Duck Race raised $92,960 to benefit 4C Sertoma’s charitable efforts. An additional 8,000 ducks are available this year, and 4C Sertoma’s goal is to surpass $100,000.
Proceeds from the event benefit Care to Learn Ozark, Children’s Smile Center, Dogwood Ranch, Least of These Christian County food pantry, the Ozark High School JROTC program, Ozark Senior Center and Christian County Children’s Charities Sertoma.
“Come out,” Jackson said. “Bring your checkbook. We’re going to raise a lot of money for children.”
