Rubber Duck Race, Ellison Park,
Saturday, June 12
You couldn’t ask for better racing
conditions. Not a cloud in the sky, a gentle breeze from the northeast. The
water current is brisk. The air temperature is 58 degrees and rising. Fans line
the banks of Irondequoit Creek, toting binoculars, talking smack. “My money’s
on 4 for the win,” says a boy in a red shirt to a towheaded girl with pigtails.
“Oh yeah?” she retorts. “My Grandma put our money on 6, 8, and 5.” They elbow
each other for primo placement along the finish line.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Announcer
Ken Vogt’s voice booms out across a megaphone: “And they’re off!” Everyone
holds their breath. And the leaders come into view! It’s Rubber Duckie number
9, rounding the bend! He’s grinning a cock-sure grin. Suddenly, number 8 comes
out of nowhere. “It looks like Seabiscuit all over again!” Vogt cries. “Look at
that little guy paddle!”
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย The
Indy 500 has nothing on the annual NAMI Rubber Duck Race at Ellison Park. This
was the seventh year that the Rochester branch of the National Alliance for the
Mentally Ill held the race, and the seventh time that these same 10 ducks went
bill-to-bill in the raging waters of Irondequoit Creek.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย It’s
one of the city’s most unique fundraisers. Bettors get three ducks for three
bucks. If your three ducks place, you can win up to $500 dollars. The proceeds
of the day’s races benefit NAMI’s research, support groups, and other programs
for more than 350 local members.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย The
Rubber Duck Race is the brainchild of Bill “the Duck Man” Hosley.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย How
did you come up with the idea?
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Oh,
gee, I dunno. Where do they come from? It’s changed over the years, but the
formula seems to work. Last year it was rainy, and the creek was high and
muddy. We thought we might lose some ducks, but they all made it through.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย These
are the same ducks, then?
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Yes.
The same ducks have raced every year.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย They
must have a rigorous workout, to keep in shape for the big day.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย No,
they just race for fun.
This article appears in Jun 16-22, 2004.
