COLUMBUS — The 2024 Columbus Duck Derby is almost here. Just as the Kentucky Derby came down to a very close race, the Columbus Education Foundation anticipate the same outcome for the Duck Derby. This event has been carefully planned to be a fun family gathering as everyone cheers the ducks to the finish line.
The “Duck Drop” of 3,000 ducks is Saturday, May 18, at 11 a.m. to noon. The ducks will launch from the East Colorado River Bridge in Columbus. They will float down the Colorado Riv - er to the finish line at Beason's Park in Columbus. The first three ducks that cross the finish line will win big: $1,000 for first place, $500 for second and $250 for third place. You do not need to be present to win.
Currently there are only several hundred ducks still available for purchase at only $5 each. A Quack Pack of six is $25, and a Flock of 13 is $50. The remaining ducks can be purchased online at ColumbusEducationFoundation. org. Just to be clear … these are not real “live” ducks, but cute little rubber duckies with individual numbers matching your tick- ets. They will float down the river and funnel through river booms to the finish line. Intrepid kayak -ers will collect any ducks that get excited and jump the boom to get them back in the race!
CEF board member Becca Edmiston is the Duck Derby “Game Warden” and recently shared, “We are looking forward to a great inaugural event.
There’s no way to know how this will end but you can watch from the riverbank along with us! Our race course is planned so that none of the ducks will escape down the river but three of them will manage to finish as winners!
Bring lawn chairs or a blanket for seating and water to maximize the one hour of fun! Winners will be announced following the 1 p.m. at the Magnolia Belle Presentation on the Court House Square."
Come join in the fun and support the Columbus Education Foundation. Proceeds for this event will support scholarships and classroom grants for students and teachers in Columbus Independent School District.
Columbus Education Founda- tion is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cor poration that wishes to enhance the educational opportunities at CISD.
Your support for fundraisers such as the Columbus Duck Derby will go a long way in realizing this goal.
