$5 adopts a duck for Kiwanis race (June 15)

photo Adrian Heckett dumps a round of rubber ducks into the Tennessee River from the Walnut Street Bridge for a previous Great Kiwanis Duck Race.

The Tennessee River may resemble a duck pond or, more to the point, a giant bathtub Saturday, June 15.

The Great Kiwanis Duck Race, sponsored by the nonprofit Chattanooga Kiwanis Youth Foundation, will fill the river beneath the Walnut Street Bridge with a raft of ducks. "Raft," in this case, just means a lot. Only the duckies will be rubber.

Ducks will be numbered from 1 to 5,500, and they'll cost $5 to adopt. They'll be dropped from the bridge at 3 p.m. Once they hit the water, they'll float downstream about 200 yards to Ross's Landing. The first three to cross the finish line will win their adopters prizes of $2,000, $1,000 and $500.

Keep in mind, though, that the race committee reserves the right to run the race in heats. In that case, the first three ducks to cross the finish line in each heat will race in a final heat. The results of the final heat determine who wins the cash.

Proceeds from this annual fundraiser benefit Northside Neighborhood House and other agencies selected by the Kiwanis Club of Chattanooga's Boys & Girls Work Committee.

Duck adoption papers/entry forms must be filled out and delivered to a club member by 2 p.m. on race day. No one under 18 may purchase a ticket. Winners do not have to be present to win.

To adopt a duck, call 423-267-6568 or email kiwanischatt@comcast.net.

For more information, visit www.kiwanischatt.org.

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