The Westport Sunrise Rotary’s Great Duck Race offered a living experience of Rotary’s motto, “service above self,” on Saturday. The event brought diverse members of our community together for all kinds of fun but, more importantly, to support local charities and community and youth service organizations.
The main event was the launching of 3,000 rubber ducks for a race down the Saugatuck River. Those whose raffle tickets corresponded with the top 10 finishers receive $10,000 in prizes. Other highlights included a duck decorating contest among event sponsors, who prior to the event were given a large duck to outfit however their creativity drove them. The top three selections will be on display in the Westport Public Library. (Notice how I’m not revealing the winners? This is my sneaky way of inspiring you to visit the library to see them!)
Even with the intense heat, entertainment for young and old stretched from end to end along the Saugatuck River in the Parker Harding Plaza parking lot.
Tables were set up under white tents (welcome respite from the blistering sun!) to purchase t-shirts, food and beverages, visit the Maker Faire table, and survey the decorated ducks. (I was quite partial to the Westport Country Playhouse’s 17th century-attired creation evoking their next show, Moliere’s “Tartuffe,” opening July 17— très charmant!)
So who were the big winners at the Great Duck Race? The whole community, of course!
For more photos, visit “The Great Duck Race” photo album on Westport Hamlet Hub’s Facebook page.
To find out more about Sunrise Rotary, join one of their weekly Friday breakfast meetings, beginning at 7:30 a.m. at BobbyQ's Restaurant, located at 42 Main St. All who are interested are invited to attend the meetings for camaraderie, a buffet breakfast, and a timely speaker – and out by 9:00 a.m. More information can be found at: http://www.westportsunriserotary.com/.