The Second Annual Red Deer Duck Race and 50/50 will be happening this long weekend. The race is organized by the Optimist Club of Red Deer and all the proceeds of the race go towards youth health and wellness programs, sports and education programs.  

“Everybody that’s in the race purchases a duck and each duck is numbered. When you purchase your duck, we’ll tell you what numbers you have. We just dump them in at the top of Discovery Canyon they float down and the first one across the line wins a prize,” said Les Trevor, President of the Optimist Club of Red Deer. 

In addition to the duck race, Trevor says those attending can look forward to a bouncy castle and other activities happening in the area.  

The Optimist Club in Red Deer has a long history in the City of supporting initiatives for youth. The duck race fundraiser is one way of supporting that work. 

“We started in Red Deer in 1960 and basically what we do is we serve the youth. We do lots of fundraising and serve different youth projects in Red Deer. We are committed to the Reading College which is for students going into Grade 3. We’re committed to Fairview Elementary School and there is lots of education programs we support, lots of sports programs, and health and wellness,” explained Trevor. 

Last year was the first year of the fundraiser for the Optimist Club and Trevor says it was a success but the club is looking forward to making this year’s event even bigger.  

“I’m thinking between the 50/50 and the duck race and sponsors, I think we totaled around seven or eight grand. We want to make it a bigger and better event. We want to really make it an event where people will want to support it, want to attend, and make it sort of a signature event for us,” explained Trevor. 

You can purchase your duck tickets online here and support the Optimist Club of Red Deer and the work they do. The duck race will be happening at Discovery Canyon in Red Deer on Monday, September 4th at 9:30 AM. 

“It’s a lot of fun. When those ducks go in the water, the excitement level ramps up pretty good and it’s pretty cool,” added Trevor.

 

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