It’s time again for the Great Olympic Peninsula Duck Derby.

Ducks go on sale Friday, April 18, for the 19th annual Duck Derby, with racers once again having the opportunity to win the grand prize — a brand new pickup truck provided by Wilder Toyota.

Forty-four total prizes, worth more than $25,000, will be up for grabs this year, with proceeds benefiting the Olympic Medical Center Foundation and the Sequim Rotary Club’s charitable projects.

Duck tickets can be purchased from members of the OMC Foundation, Olympic Medical Center employees, members of Sequim Rotary Club and the Forks’

Soroptimist International of the Olympic Rainforest, as well as countless volunteers who pitch in to raise money for these worthwhile projects.

Team captains and duck sellers can pick up ticket packets and souvenir ducks Friday at Downriggers, on the second floor of The Landing mall, from 5-6:30 p.m.

The race is Sunday, May 18, at the Nippon Paper Industries canal in Port Angeles, where all “adoptive parents” have the chance of winning the new truck sponsored by Wilder Toyota. In addition to the truck, racers have the chance to win cash prizes sponsored by 7 Cedars Casino, gift certificates worth up to $500 and dozens of other prizes from the Duck Derby’s many contributors from the North Olympic Peninsula and Canada.

“The time, effort, labor and equipment that various groups put into the Duck Derby to make this event successful year after year shows how each of us contributes to make this area such a great place to live,” said Bob Lovell, Duck Derby co-chairman, along with Rick Smith. “So many individuals and organizations are tireless with their donations and work in this community to help make it what it is.”

“It’s a pretty awesome sight to see over 35,000 ducks down the Nippon Paper Industries Mill canal,” Lovell added. “It’s not really about expecting to win, it’s just knowing that you’re donating to worthy causes that matters. Winning is secondary.”

Each duck — costing $5 — comes with more than $20 worth of money-saving coupons donated by Olympic Peninsula businesses. And $25 buys five duck tickets and a rubber duck to take home, or six ducks and six chances to win in the race.

On May 18 at 5 p.m., just prior to the main race, a Very Important Duck race is scheduled, which is an opportunity for businesses and individuals, including those from outside the peninsula who do business with local companies, to purchase special VID ducks emblazoned with their logo for $250 each. On race day, the Kids’ Pavilion, KONP’s live radio broadcast and refreshments will add to the excitement.



How the Duck Derby works

For each adopted duck, the purchaser receives a ticket with a printed number corresponding to a number on a duck in the race. All of the numbered ducks are dumped into the Nippon Paper Industries canal on race day and the “owners” of the first 44 ducks to cross the finish line win prizes.

For more information, potential owner/racers can contact the Olympic Medical Center Foundation at 417-7144.