Duck, duck, rubber duck at the Duck Derby

No one can resist quacking up at the sight of thousands of rubber duckies floating down Allen’s pond. The Massachusetts Audubon Society held their 22nd annual Duck Derby on Wednesday, Oct. 1. 

The 2,580 rubber duckies that were sponsored by companies and people helped the society raise $23,000 to help wildlife conservation. 

The funds specifically go to local conservation efforts, including the Audubon’s Coastal Waterbird Program, which protects endangered coastal birds and coastal ecosystem management. 

“This event may look whimsical on the surface, but the impact is real and lasting. Every duck entry supports vital conservation work that protects our coastlines and the birds that depend on them,” said Lyra Brennan, the director of the Audubon’s Coastal Waterbird Program, “It’s a fun way for families, neighbors, and entire communities to be part of something bigger.”

The winners were announced at a celebration on Friday, Oct. 3. Ellen Brezniak and her duck Maisie won first place, Susan Barnett and her duck Quakenduck won second place and Kathleen Turner and Mack won third place. Colleen Richards and her duck Rothy was the unlucky duck who got the coveted Slacker Quacker for being in last place. 

This year the society had a special prize for a randomly selected duck, the “Stealth Duck.” The winner was Robert Newman with his duck Iz.

This was the first year the derby was held at Allen’s pond. After the race finished up, volunteers made sure there were no rubber duckies left in the pond.