Duck fest to return to Harbor bigger, better
(ROCKWALL-December 27, 2012) Mark your calendar for September 20 -21, 2013 when the Rockwall Rubber Duck Regatta returns to The Harbor for a fun-filled, community-wide Duck Fest benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Rockwall County and Meals on Wheels Senior Services of Rockwall County.
The second annual event is slated to be even bigger and better than the first, spanning two full days and offering more opportunities for community members and businesses to get involved.
Organizers have set a fundraising goal of $100,000 – double what was achieved in 2012. The inaugural Regatta exceeded all expectations, with more than 200 businesses, 130 vendors and thousands of people flocking to see more than 3,000 yellow ducks splash down in the fountains of The Harbor in a race to the finish line.
Flo T Duck, the Regatta’s mascot, recently appeared before the Rockwall City Council to express thanks for the city’s support in 2012. Misti Potter, CEO of BGC-Rockwall, presented the Council with a plaque of appreciation – and a larger rubber duck “with more canvas to paint on and decorate” for the 2013 competition.
“We had no idea how big this was going to be…and if anyone in this room at any time between, oh, February and September, did not hear about the first Duck Regatta, you were clearly not in town,” Potter smiled, addressing Council members. “Everywhere I went, people were talking about it. And that was the idea. It was a not a Boys and Girls Club event, or a Meals on Wheels event; it was a community event. Under the leadership of Ariana Hargove and many volunteers, it was really was tremendous, remarkable.”
Potter added that ducks were sold worldwide, “from Boston to Seattle and even Italy,” with supporters “adopting” ducks online at Rockwall Duck Race .org.
“We’re seeking your approval – a partnership between the City of Rockwall, the Regatta, the Boys & Girls Club and Meals on Wheels,” Potter said, requesting that fees be waived for use of the city area of The Harbor on September 20 and 21, 2013. She also asked that fees also be waived for park staff and portable toilets for the two-day fundraising event.
“We need to up our game in 2013, increase our sponsorships, increase duck sales, increase participation and the number of people who come out to The Harbor for the event. We want to see the Mayor and all City Council members as duck ambassadors, in the fountain, helping to push the ducks over the edge – truly making this a community event,” Potter said. 
The Council approved the requests at a subsequent meeting.
“[The inaugural Regatta] was a well organized, successful event that benefited two great organizations – the Boys and Girls Club of Rockwall County and Rockwall County Meals on Wheels. It was a well attended event that will continue to grow. These type of events increase traffic in The Harbor which benefits our restaurants and retailers,” said Rockwall Mayor David Sweet.
In partnership with the City of Rockwall, the 2013 event welcomes back the Duck Dash 5K, the Arts and Crafts Vendor Fair, the Corporate Duck Beauty Pageant, a Kids Zone with bounce houses and family activities, the VID (Very Important Duck) Party – and of course, the much-anticipated Rubber Duck Race. Live concerts and several new activities are in store for festival-goers, too.
Mayor Pro-Tem David White said that the Council’s minor role in waiving the rental fee for use of the ground “pales in comparison to the hard work and support from the multitude of sponsors and outstanding organizers” that are sure to make the 2013 event a success.
In addition to the City of Rockwall, 2013 event sponsors include Alien Wraps, OutLaunched, Nestle, Lovett PR, Signature Signs & Graphics, and Blue Ribbon News. Dick’s Sporting Goods will sponsor the 5K, and the Hilton Dallas Rockwall Lakefront is the corporate sponsor.
For updates on the 2013 Regatta, visit rockwallduckrace.org and stay tuned to Blue Ribbon News. Also watch for Flo to make more public appearances!
By Dawn Redig, Blue Ribbon News. All rights reserved. To submit your good news and events, email editor@BlueRibbonNews.com.
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