Non-ducky weather did not dampen yesterday’s Great Duck Race.
The annual Sunrise Rotary Club fundraiser drew its usual large crowd of bettors, kids, and everyone else looking for a family-friendly, offbeat way to have fun.
Over 3,000 small plastic ducks were dropped from a giant front loader, then raced down a 160-foot sluice course constructed by Rotary members with help from the Westport Fire Department.
Here’s some of the race action:
Before the start. (Photo/Mark Mathias)
The crowd waits. (Photo/Mark Mathias)
And they’re off! (Photo/Mark Mathias)
It’s a very crowded field. (Photo/June Rose Whittaker)
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker provides play-by-play. (Photo/Mark Mathias)
The winner nears the finish chute. (Photo/Mark Mathias)
The big — as in $5,000 — winner was Will Augustyn.
George Masumian’s duck came in second, earning him $1,000.
Eight other winners picked up $500 each: Stephen Pianka, Jim Marpe, David Moore, Michael Paul, Steven Benardete, Jason Rich, Aimee Monroy Smith and Judith McBride.
It was all for a great cause.
Sunrise Rotary will give away 100% of all proceeds to local and international charities. Officials estimate that $70,000 was raised.
Congrats to all Rotarians, for a great day of entertainment and good works.
Congrats to the winners, too. You trained your ducks well.
Meanwhile, there was plenty else to do, before the actual race, like a Nerdy Derby, pin making, bubble machines and more, plus sponsors’ tents and food trucks.
Here are a few scenes:
Cub Scout Pack 39 sponsored a “Rainbow Regatta.” (Photo/James Delorey)
Kids’ activities were bubble-icious. (Photo/Mark Mathias)
In just a few months, Alina’s Cakes & Cookies has become an important part of the community. Owner Alina Dancho got into the spirit, with duck-themed treats.
Ducks know that the earth is nearly 75% water. The Great Duck Race shared Jesup Green with jUNe Day, when guests from around the globe came to town. Many stayed for the Sunrise Rotary fun. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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Of course, the Westport Downtown Association Sidewalk Sale was part of yesterday’s fun.
It continues today, on and around Main Street (including Sconset and Playhouse Squares).
It may rain this afternoon. So get there early!
Rhone — and many other downtown merchants — invites you to their sidewalk sale.
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VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399/August Matthias American Legion Post 63 just passed a milestone: 4 straight years of monthly Red Cross blood drives. Over 2,220 donors have participated.
On Friday, the drive sponsored by the Goddard Schools in Westport drew over 80 donors.
VFW quartermaster Phil Delgado says, “thanks to sustained partnerships with other community non-profit organizations, we have become the premier Red Cross Blood donor site in Fairfield County
“Remember: One unit of blood can save up three lives.”
The next blood drive is July 31 (noon to 6 p.m). Click here for an appointment. (use this sponsor code: VFWWESTPORT), or call 800-733-2767.
Four straight years of monthly blood drives.
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On Friday, Lynn Bishop glanced out her dining room window, near Clinton Avenue — and saw this young bear ambling toward her kids’ slide.
“Barely” concealing her surprise, she snapped this “Westport … Naturally” photo:
Other “06880” readers reported seeing it nearby, in Willowbrook Cemetery, and shuffling along that stretch of Main Street.
Yesterday it was seen on Easton Road and then Northside Lane, off North Avenue.
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And finally … Florence Ballard was born on this date in 1943. A founding member of the Supremes, she sang on 10 #1 hits.
Motown owner Barry Gordy removed her from the group in 1967. She struggled with alcoholism, depression and poverty, and died of a heart attack in 1976, age 32.
(The supreme compliment for “06880” is to support us, with a tax-deductible contribution. Please click here — and thank you!)
Did the bear stay on your property Or quickly move on ?