Advocates For Children Report "Successful" Duck Derby

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Despite Saturday’s less than ideal weather, the annual Advocates for Children Duck Derby had a great turnout and was a successful event, the organization said.

Duck sales exceeded the original goal of 20,000 ducks to be adopted by more than 3,000.

The festivities for the day began early with the 11th annual Duck Dash 5K & Fun Run.

The rain dissipated and held off long enough for the dedicated runners to complete the 5K and for the little ones to make their mark with the Fun Run.

The wet conditions certainly did not slow anyone down with a winning time of 17:36 by Jill Braley in the women’s division. Griffin Shaw crossed the finish line with a time of 21:39 leading the men’s division.

Members of the Cartersville Service League served as the majority of volunteers who came out early on a Saturday morning to commit their time to help create a successful event.

As the festivities for the 5K and Fun Run wrapped up, everyone ventured over to LakePoint for the 14th annual Duck Derby at Terminus Wake Park.

Food trucks from near and far called the Terminus parking lot home for the day. Visitors could dine on everything from lobster quesadillas to Venezuelan empanadas. Upstairs at the Rally Volleyball Pavilion, ticket holders for the beer and wine sampling could satisfy their taste buds with over 25 beers and fifteen different varieties of wine.

The highlight of the day of course was the plucking of the winning ducks. The lucky duck of the day was adopted by Jessica Cass, granting her the grand prize of $10,000. Over 20 additional prizes were awarded, including a Yeti cooler package and an Apple watch.

The South Central Middle School Drum Line gave an outstanding drum roll for the event as wake boarders went around one of the lakes at Terminus to pull the winning ducks. Almost 70 percent of the ducks in the water were adopted thanks to the hard work of local seniors competing for the fifth annual Funds for your Future $5,000 scholarship sponsored by Terry Reid Hyundai Buick GMC and Reid Ridge Lodge.

Maddie Redmer will receive the $5,000 scholarship thanks to her hard work in selling over 6,400 ducks this year.

“Advocates is extremely appreciative of everyone who bought ducks, encouraged others to buy, attended the event or supported it any way,” the organization added.

Advocates for Children strengthens the community of families by offering safety, comfort and hope to children and preventing child abuse in all its forms.

To learn more about Advocates and the services they offer, call 770-387-1143 or visit www.AdvoChild.org.

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Photo 1: ducks prepare to be launched for the 2015 Duck Derby.
Photo 2: the winning VID is delivered.
Photo 3: the grand prize Duck is delivered by one of the Terminus Wakeboarders
Photo credits: Advocates for Children