Spectators line the fence at the Rivers End Park in New Bedford along the Acushnet River to watch the annual Acushnet Lions Club Duck Race on Sunday, 6/17/18. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
The annual Acushnet Lions Club Duck Race suffered some complications on Sunday, 6/17, but that did not deter the organizers, or the ducks.
Instead of dropping into the Acushnet River at the Sawmill and heading downstream to River View Park, the little rubber duckies played like herring and reversed course.
Mike Cioper helps some wayward ducks get out of the weeds at the annual Acushnet Lions Club Duck Race on Sunday, 6/17/18, in the Acushnet River. Photo by Beth David.
Sensing that the current was not very strong heading downstream, but that the wind out of the southwest was very strong, the organizers launched the ducks at River View and watched them travel upstream to the northern end of River’s End Park, or behind the NAPA building, depending on which side of the street you stood on.
Scores of people lined the fence at River’s End Park to watch 1,000 herring-ducks make their way up stream to the finish line.
When they got there, the same three or four little duckies were stuck in place for what seemed like ages, as they just could not get over the little bump in the boom that was supposed to guide them to the opening.
The leaders are stuck, unable to get over the turn in the boom at the annual Acushnet Lions Club Duck Race on Sunday, 6/17/18, on the Acushnet River. Photo by Beth David.
Finally, duck #224 popped through, quickly followed by #297 and #414. Organizers refused to name the winners despite several phone calls from the Neighb News.
Kayakers followed the horde upstream and helped them out when they got stuck.
The crowd hooted and hollered, and rooted for their numbers, keeping the mood light, even as the ducks got thrown out by the kayakers, pushed around by the wind, or by ripples in the river.
Tickets were $10 each, and all proceeds benefited the Acushnet Lions Club charities. Organizers said they raised nearly $10,000.
The first place winner makes it through the finish line at the annual Acushnet Lions Club Duck Race on Sunday, 6/17/18. Photo by Beth David.
The second and third place winners make it through the finish line at the annual Acushnet Lions Club Duck Race on Sunday, 6/17/18. Photo by Beth David.
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