(ROCKWALL, TX – August 17, 2015) The annual Rockwall Rubber Duck Regatta returns to The Harbor September 25-26. Baby rubber ducks ($5) and corporate Mama ducks ($100) are available for purchase at rockwallduckrace.org. Race winners will be awarded cash and prizes, as ducks make their way down the fountain to the finish line. There will even be a chance for the 13th Unlucky Lucky Duck to win $10,000.
Proceeds benefit Boys & Girls Club of Rockwall County and Meals on Wheels. The two-day community event will include live music, fireworks, vendors, food, a kids zone, and of course – the Corporate Duck Pageant. Click here for the full schedule of events.
Local businesses to compete in Corporate Duck Pageant
Businesses can purchase large corporate ducks and decorate them to represent their brand identity. All of the “duckerated” contestants will be on display, with prizes awarded to the most creative. This year’s Pageant is sponsored by Rockwall Gold and Silver Pawn. Toni Waldrop, who co-owns the shop with her husband Lloyd, said she is a big supporter of the Regatta because she is passionate about the charity recipients.
“My kids Jared and Katie attended Boys & Girls Club when they were at Dobbs Elementary,” Waldrop said. “My kids went there when I couldn’t afford any kind of childcare and I wanted them to have a safe place to go. Boys & Girls Club meant a lot to me because it helped me when I needed help.”
Waldrop added that after meeting Meals on Wheels Executive Director Margie VerHagen, she and her husband felt called to assist that cause as well.
Waldrop will man the Pageant tent along with event director Dorothy Spradlin, co-owner of the downtown boutique Simply Kate. Spradlin said she believes it is essential to support the organizations that benefit from the Regatta each year. Her desire to help the Boys & Girls Club began when she taught a literacy class there several years ago.
“I was so touched and I wanted to help,” Spradlin said. “Right now I might not have all the money in the world to give them, but I do have time.”
She said the Regatta has given her new insight to the importance of Meals on Wheels as well. “Now I’m having a chance to reach out to a generation I wouldn’t otherwise get to impact,” she said. “The bottom line is serving. You will not be a fulfilled and happy person if you do not serve.”
While Waldrop will select and donate the prizes for the Pageant, Spradlin will select the judges and create the judging criteria. There will be different categories with a variety of corresponding prizes. First place will receive a prize worth $500, second place will receive a prize worth $300, and third place will receive a prize worth $200. The prizes will be jewelry of gold, silver or diamonds from Waldrop’s shop. There will also be three $100 gift certificates to Rockwall Gold and Silver Pawn awarded to the People’s Choice, County Judge’s Choice, and Ugly Duckling winners.
Spradlin was still in the process of selecting Pageant judges at press time, but one will be County Judge David Sweet. This year’s celebrity judge will be Meredith Meuwly, an appraiser on KERA’s Antique Road Show.
Dan Keils, manager of Dodie’s at The Harbor, said the restaurant will participate in the Pageant for the third time. Although he isn’t sure what their duck will look like yet, he believes it is a great cause. “It’s something fun that’s out of the norm,” he said.
Lynette Coughlin, owner of Providence Bridal, said they will once again enter a rubber duck bride complete with a dress and veil. “I think it is important for the community to support Boy & Girls Club because they do awesome things for kids, and Meals on Wheels does so much for the elderly,” Coughlin said. “It’s important that we support these well deserving causes both as residents and as a business.”
For more info on the Duck Regatta, the Pageant and the schedule of events, visit rockwallduckrace.org. Buy a baby duck ($5) or corporate duck ($100) online here.
Story by Julie Anne White, Blue Ribbon News reporter. Photos by Blue Ribbon News.
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