Rotary Club's Duck Race Set for August 20

Ducks make their way down the raging Manatawny Creek during a previous duck race. 

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Rotary Club of Pottstown

The Rotary Club of Pottstown is proud to announce that it will hold its 25th Annual Rotary Duck Race on Saturday, Aug. 20 at 4 p.m. at Memorial Park, Pottstown. 

This year, the Rotary Duck Race, a long- time standing tradition in Pottstown, is being held in conjunction with Pottstown Department of Parks and Recreation’s Veterans’ Community Day. 

This free public event will honor American Veterans and their service to our country and our way of life. The event will include live music, local crafts and artisans, engaging speakers, and more. 

For added family fun, Rotary’s signature 16 foot high big yellow duck will be on hand for the race at Memorial Park on that day. 

Spectators, gripped with anticipation, watch a previous duck race.

Started in 1991 by the Rotary Club of Pottstown, The Rotary Duck Race was founded to help community-based charities/non-profit groups raise money to support their programs. 

Rotary, along with members of the twenty-five participating charities/ non-profit groups, sell tickets for the race, with a pro-rated portion of all ticket sales reverting back to those groups to help support their work in the community. 

Each ticket sold has a number that corresponds to a plastic duck with that same number. 

About 3500 pink, yellow, and blue numbered ducks will be released into Manatawny Creek in Memorial Park for the race and float down to the finish line. 

 A host of prizes are awarded to ticket holders of those ducks fastest to cross the finish line, and a prize is even given for the last duck to finish the race.

Last year, the Rotary Club of Pottstown, along with local individuals and businesses, contributed over 100 prizes for this event, totaling more than $10,000 in value. Rotary expects this year’s event to be an even bigger success, and will be awarding a wide range of prizes, including $1,000 cash, a 40 inch HDTV Television, and a smart watch or Apple watch.

Yes, the giant duck will be there too.

In addition to being lots of fun, the Rotary Duck Race is a great way to support our local community. 

In fact, since its inception, the Rotary Duck Race has enabled The Rotary Club of Pottstown to contribute more than $330,000 to non-profit organizations in the Pottstown area. .

Tickets for this Pottstown tradition can be purchased from participating charities/non-profits or from Pottstown Rotary Club members. 

Rotary will also be selling tickets at the Veterans Community Day on August 20th at Memorial Park. For a complete listing of participating charities/non-profits who will benefit from this event and who are selling Rotary Duck Race tickets, please visit www.PottstownRotary.org.

Here is the list of participating agencies –

• Pottstown Rotary Community Endowment Fund
• Abilities in Motion
• Building Industries Exchange, Pottstown
• Campfire USA
• Colebrookdale Railroad Passenger Platform Fund
• Develomental Enterprises Corp
• Edgewood Cemetery
• Linfield U.C.C. Church
• Marine Corp. League, Chester County, Detachment 286
• Meals on Wheels, Pottstown
• National Federation of the Blind
• PAL – Pottstown Police Athletic league
• Pottsgrove American Legion Post #244
• Pottstown 4th of July Festivities
• Pottstown AMBUCS
• Pottstown Area Senior Center
• Pottstown Downtown Foundation
• Pottstown Historical Society
• Pottstown Regional Public Library
• Pottstown-Stowe Lions Club
• Pottstown Halloween Parade
• Renovating Hope (Helping Veterans)
• Soroptomists International of Pottstown
• Springford Rotary Club
• Vietnam Veterans

Rotary is a local and international service organization comprised of men and women committed to making a positive contribution in their community and the world. The Rotary Club of Pottstown supports a number of programs in Pottstown, including, the Pottstown Halloween Parade, The Little Free Library program at Riverfront Park and Smith Plaza, student scholarships, Operation Backpack, and Meals on Wheels. The club also sponsors the Pottstown High School Interact Club, a service club for high school students. To learn more about The Rotary Club of Pottstown, please visit www.PottstownRotary.org.