Waddle on down to the Sooke Flats on May 5 for the Sooke Harbourside Lions’ 12th annual Duck Race.
“[A total of] 2,500 rubber ducks are currently in training to race down the Sooke River,” chuckled Harbourside Lions Club member Joanne Payment, chair of the event.
“The race is a lot of fun. It looks like a sea of yellow and people cheer the ducks on as they head towards the finish line.”
The annual event is one of the Harbourside Lions’ biggest fundraisers, and all proceeds go to local causes.
“We have so many extra volunteers come and help us out as well, including the public, local fisherman, the Sooke Lions, the Girl Guides, and the Sooke Salmon Enhancement Society who line up the ducks up at the start, it really is a village that pulls this thing off,” Payment said.
There are five winners in the race: First place wins $1,000, second $400, third $300, fourth $200, and fifth $100.
Along with the race, which starts at noon, there will also be a bouncy castle, games for kids, cupcake decorating, face painting, and a concession stand providing food and drinks.
“I’m looking forward to seeing all the families come down,” Payment said. “The kids absolutely love it, especially all the games. Last year we had about 400 kids, it’s such a fun event.”
A single duck ticket is $5 and a Quack Pack (five tickets) can be purchased for $20.
Tickets can be purchased at Pemberton Homes and Seaside Sweets in Sooke, or at the Flats on the day of the event. There will also be two blitz sales: one on Friday outside Village Foods from 3 to 7 p.m., and one outside Shoppers Drug Mart from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free for anyone who doesn’t want to adopt a duck.