Duck Splash Brings Family Fun and Support to Historical Trails and Waterways

Why did the rubber duck cross the river? To raise money for a good cause.

Approximately 3000 rubber duckies were dropped in the Occoquan River on Saturday afternoon for the 5th Annual Duck Splash, a fundraiser for the Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition.

Occoquan Mayor, Earnie Porta said, "When the idea was first presented to me, I was a bit confused. I asked, 'Where are we going to keep all these ducks?'  After I was told they'd be put into storage, I figured out we were discussing rubber duckies, not real ones."

The idea to have a ducky race in Occoquan originated with Greg Gilker, an Occoquan resident and five year director of the Occoquan Arts and Crafts show. Gilker passed away one year ago this past weekend. Prior to the race, Porta led the crowd in a moment of silence to remember Gilker.

The rubber duckies were sold in stores around town, booths at the farmer's market, and online through PayPal. PWTSC President Zoe Vitter said, "Thanks to additional publicity this year, we've had an incredible amount of online sales." Vitter and volunteers raised an additional couple hundred dollars in ducky sales the morning of the event.

This is the biggest fundraiser of the year for PWTSC, which uses the funds to build and maintain trails through the county.

Completing sections of the Potomac National Scenic Heritage Trail can be an expensive endeavor, says Vitter. In one section of the trail, the board hopes to build a boardwalk going through the marshlands, a project that would cost more than $2 million.

“All of PWTSC's funding comes from membership dues, donations, and grants,” says Porta, also a PWTSC board member. “We partner with a significant number of organizations, including the governmental organizations like the Prince William County Park Authority, and private corporations like Vulcan Materials, who recently donated all the stone for a portion of the Potomac National Scenic Heritage Trails.”

The winners of the Duck Splash received monetary prizes of up to $500. This year’s lucky ducks are:

1.  #631: Janet Gunn, Nokesville

2.  #1417: Diane Behm, Woodbridge

3.  #1418: Sara Reinhardt, Manassas

4.  #341: Lauryn (no last name)

5.  #468: Carol Stevens, Woodbridge

6.  #415: M. Bechtoldt, Woodbridge

7.  #1165: Whitney Bolton, Woodbridge

8.  #1461: Diane Cunha, Occoquan

9.  #1201: Jake Reifsnyder, Woodbridge

10. #1404: Paul Touchet, Lake Ridge