Duck Race On The Charles For Charity

The Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary Club is hosting the 10th Annual Duck Race the Charles at Riverdale Park on Saturday, June 16, rain or shine.

This free event features the race, music from the Dedham Public Schools fifth grade band moonwalks, pony rides, face painting, magician, dance contests, live DJ, prizes, clowns and refreshments for the whole family.

Duck racers adopt plastic ducks for $5 each or four ducks for $20 and the fifth duck is free. Ducks are assigned a specific number that corresponds with their adopter’s number. The ducks are simultaneously dumped into the river from the Bridge Street Bridge near the Irish Ale House. The first duck to cross the finish line wins $1,000. There are cash prizes for second, third and fourth place, as well. Second place is worth $500, third is worth $250 and fourth is worth $100.

The proceeds raised from duck purchases fund this event and the remaining money goes to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Boy Scouts of America, DOVE, the School Dictionary Program, Schools on Wheels, local food pantries, the Blue Hills Regional High School Scholarships and many others.

“Peopl adopt over three or four thousand ducks,” NVSRC Projects Chair John Bethoney said. “I am not certain how many have sold so far, but it has to be up there. People can adopt ducks on the day of the race as well.”

Corporate Sponsors include the Dedham Savings, the Needham Bank, Roche Brothers, Whole Foods, National Aumsements, the Bank of Canton, and Blue Hills Savings Bank. Premium sponsors include Dedham Health & Athletic Complex and Eastern Bank. Activity sponsors include Needham Bank, Dedham Savings and Waves Car Wash.

To make a donation or get more information, visit http://nvsrotary.org, https://www.facebook.com/DuckRaceOnTheCharles/info or contact John Bethoney at 781-326-1800.