The County Press

Rubber ducks will still race, extra stuff is canceled




LAPEER — While current statewide restrictions on public events may have curtailed the more festival-like aspects of the annual Kiwanis Club of Lapeer Rubber Duck Dash, the ducks themselves are still in racing mode.

Scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19, the annual event typically consists of the rubber duck race down Farmers Creek in Cramton Park, the “Duck”orating Contest and a litany of other events including games and a dunk tank.

The Kiwanis Club of Lapeer announced that the restrictions still in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic have led to the club cancelling the extra public attractions that accompany the race, but the race itself, along with the “Duck”orating Contest, are still on.

Kiwanis Club of Lapeer President Kara Lambourn said the club remained hopeful that restrictions would have been lifted in time for the full event to take place. “After careful consideration, we have decided to cancel these additional activities this year,” she said. “From a health and safety standpoint, this is the best decision we can make at this time.”

The Rubber Duck Dash will take place at approximately 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Cramton Park and will also be broadcast live via the Kiwanis Club of Lapeer’s Facebook page. Tickets are still available for sale for $5 each, with a chance to win up to $2,500 in cash prizes.

The “Duck”orating Contest will take place with a few minor adjustments. Decorators can collect votes up until the event date. “Since we won’t be able to display the ducks and collect votes the day of the event, we will make online voting available,” said Lambourn. “A photo of all decorated ducks will be posted to our website where voting will public take place.” Each vote collected, either in person or online, will be tallied and the duck that collects the most votes will be awarded the lauded title of “Most Wanted Duck.” Lambourn said one duck will also be awarded with the distinction of “Best Decorated Duck,” based on a vote by a panel of Kiwanis Judges. Both winners will receive a “prestigious award and prize package,” Lambourn said. Decorating is open to businesses and individuals and are still available. Online voting begins Sept. 7.

Tickets can be purchased from any Kiwanis member or on online at lapeerkiwanis.org prior to Sept. 19, and will also be available for purchase the day of event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cramton Park. Tickets are available at:

• ChoiceOne Bank, downtown
Lapeer
• Circle K RVs
• McComb Monument Co.
• Kapala Heating & Air Conditioning
• Lapeer Gold and Diamond
• ELGA Credit Union, Lapeer
• Lapeer Area Chamber of
Commerce
• Ray C’s Harley-Davidson of Lapeer
• Lapeer Financial
• Lapeer County Vision Centers
• Thumb Alarm Systems
• Servpro of Lapeer
• Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors
• Bessette’s Bumping and Painting
Inc.
• Magpie Oil Change, Lapeer
• GTA Business Systems