Thousands of rubber ducks in a row race through Barney’s Joy
Aug 23, 2021
Allens Pond staff and volunteers release nearly 7,000 rubber ducks into Barney’s Joy at the annual Duck Derby. Photos by: Christopher Shea
Harris Faustman, 6, netted a test duck ahead of the start of the race.
Fall River resident Cindy Rodzen watches the derby while wearing a festive hat.
Volunteers try to collect some stray ducks.
One lucky duck is now $5,000 richer thanks to a lucky rubber duck of his own.
On Aug. 20, nearly 7,000 rubber ducks were released at Barney’s Joy for Mass Audubon’s annual Duck Derby fundraiser at Allens Pond.
More than a dozen people hiked over the sanctuary trails and Little Beach in perfect weather to watch their ducks race and potentially win them the grand prize of $5,000 in cash.
“Just walking here was a prize in itself,” said Fall River resident Cindy Rodzen. “Such beautiful scenery.”
Although, if she did win, Rodzen said she planned to spend her winnings on a trip to Poland.
She noted that she’s gotten a duck every year since the races first began 18 years ago and names them after her Polish ancestors — Sophie and Ignatius.
“I’d love to take a walk along the woods they used to walk,” she said.
This year, Rozen opted to up her odds of winning by getting a third duck and naming it after her brother, Hanky.
Summer resident Mary Sharp and her grandson Harris Faustman, 6, also had three ducks in this year’s race: Monkey George, Buttons, and Lamby.
“They’re named after his stuffies,” Sharp noted.
Were any of their ducks were to win, Sharp said there would have likely been a “fight” over who gets to claim the prize and what it will be.
“Grammy paid for the ducks, but he named them,” she laughed.
Other top prizes included dinner for 10 at the Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuary of your choice, consultation on native plants, an animal encounter at one of Mass Audubon’s wildlife sanctuaries, or an “Osprey Adventure” with overnight accommodation at Allens Pond — which also involves a picnic breakfast and an Osprey Boat Tour with a biologist.
This year’s first-place winner was Lee resident Evan Williams. A prize has yet to be chosen.
Runner-up racers will receive gift certificates to local establishments.
The last place “slacker quacker” wins a free entry in next year’s race to try again. This year’s honor goes to Dartmouth resident Ed Medeiros.
All proceeds from the race go toward operating expenses at Allens Pond.
