Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/122231
Fayetteville's Duck Derby: A Quacking Good Time by STEPHANIE CRIDER Advocacy Center, Cumberland County 4-H, Great Oak Youth Development If you've never been to the Duck Derby, this year's event is something Center, Camp Dixie, Unchained Cumberland County, The Haven Friends you won't want to miss. It is with great excitement that Fayetteville for Life, CONTACT of Fayetteville, Visions Resource Center, Cumberland Urban Ministry and Rick Hendrick Toyota Scion present the 3rd Annual Disaster and Recovery, Myrover-Reese Fellowship Homes, Better Health, Fayetteville Duck Derby. American Red Cross, Dance Theatre of Fayetteville, Falcon Children's The event takes place at Campbellton Landing on May 4. Located on the Home, Partnership for Children, Cumberland County Communicare, banks of the Cape Fear River, with shade trees and plenty of space to run Rockfish Camp and Retreat and play, Campbellton Landing Center, Kids Peace, Enlighten is the perfect place for such a the World Ministries, community-centered event. Fascinate-U Museum, Mount The Duck Derby promises Carmel Pentecostal Holiness to be a day filled with fun Church, Second Harvest Food and excitement. From Bank, Cape Fear Heroes, noon to 5 p.m., Fayetteville CEED, Fayetteville Family Urban Ministry and Rick Justice Center, Fayetteville Hendrick Toyota Scion will Symphony Orchestra, Gilbert host this family-friendly Theater, Give an Hour festival that includes free Community Blueprint, Karen admission and kid-friendly Chandler Trust and TIGAPA attractions like boat rides, Village Foundation. train rides, craft stations, local With so many worthy merchandise, food vendors, live causes to support, there is entertainment and a Kids' Zone something for everyone when with lots of fun. The whole it comes time to adopt a duck. family can enjoy live music, In fact, many participating dancing, the Duck Derby Hat organizations are hoping Contest and a high school that people will adopt several drum-line competition. While ducks and support more than entrance to the Duck Derby is one cause on derby day. free, there will be food available Last year this event raised for purchase and activities about $48,000, according to that cost money, so plan Johnny Wilson, Fayetteville accordingly. Urban Ministry executive There will also be activity and director. information booths sponsored In addition to making sure by more than 30 local noneveryone has a good time, one profits. The content at the of the things that Wilson loves booths promises to engage, best is watching everyone entertain and empower citizens Volunteers retrieve the ducks from the Cape Fear River after last year's race. enjoy themselves. of all ages. People will have a Cover photo credit: Rick Hendrick Toyota Scion and Fayetteville Urban Ministry presents Fayetteville Duck "When I get a chance to chance to learn about many Derby 2013. stop and look around an of the organizations in the see the families and people community that work to help standing there laughing and dancing and having fun, you can see our make Cumberland County a better place. community connect and it represents what Fayetteville is," said Wilson. While there is plenty to do all day long, the main event of the day is the There is yet another fun way to participate in the Duck Derby. In actual duck races, and these take place later in the afternoon. The first duck race features large rubber ducks that have been adopted by the weeks leading up to the Duck Derby, the community is invited to local businesses and organizations. A representative from each business will participate in the appetizer and drink competition that is taking place among nine local restaurants. Visit Chris's Open Hearth Steakhouse, Circa throw their duck into the river. This is a great way for local businesses to 1800 Restaurant & Bar, Hilltop House, Huske Hardware House Restaurant support the work of Fayetteville Urban Ministry as well as the community. & Brewery, IT'Z Entertainment City, Luigi's Italian Restaurant & Bar, The main duck race will require more than people throwing rubber Marquis Market, Morgan's Chop House or The Wing Company and sample ducks off the bridge. This one involves dump trucks dropping more than an appetizer or cocktail (specially concocted for the Duck Derby) and 15,000 ducks into the Cape Fear River. It's thrilling to watch, and even then visit www.duckrace.com and vote for your favorite. The competition more exciting when you have a duck in the race. The grand-prize winner has ended, and the winner will be announced at the Duck will receive a Toyota Scion xD. Other prizes include a bedroom suite from Derby and has bragging rights for a year. Restore Warehouse, a 60' TV and a Cape Fear River cruise. There is still time for grown-ups to adopt a duck. It costs Each and every duck that floats down the river will benefit one of $5. Just go to www.duckrace. the local nonprofits that are participating in the event. Some of the STEPHANIE CRIDER, Editor. COMcom and click on the adopt a organizations include the Fayetteville Urban Ministry, Special Olympics MENTS? Editor@upandcominduck tab. Cumberland County, Fayetteville Animal Protection Society, Child gweekly.com WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM APRIL 17-23, 2013 UCW 15