By Jay Rosquites
EBC Florida Bureau
TAMPA, FLORIDA (Eagle News Service) — Clear skies, happy faces, and a portion of the Hillsborough River filled with 10,000 rubber duckies graced the residents of Downtown Tampa. On its second consecutive year, the Incredible Duck Race was set at the riverfront of Hixon Park. Open to the public, this event allowed people to adopt a rubber duck for five dollars each, claiming their stake at a cash prize that would be awarded to the top three ducks that would cross the finish line. All proceeds of the event benefited the Kiwanis Club of Tampa, which helps local charities and children’s programs.
“Our goal is serve one child at a time. So, all the proceeds raised at this year’s event, is gonna go right back into the community on programs that help children,” said Amanda Malinowski, who currently serves as the Immediate Past President of the Kiwanis Club of Tampa.
Malinowski, also the Chairperson of the ‘Incredible Duck Race’, also testified the club’s ‘claim to fame” is the student leadership organizations sponsorship, who happened to also be working the event.
Attendees were treated to various fun-filled family activities such as an egg race, a bounce house, chuck-a-duck, and fish-for-ducks. They could also purchase duck memorabilia, such as sunglasses and inflatables.
“I would have to say businesses in the community would be our biggest supporter. We have so many donated things here. Our lanes were donated, our docks were donated. Big sponsorships are going on here in the park,” said Malinowski.
Soon after the release of the rubber ducks into the river, eager participants flocked to the riverfront to see who the top finishers were. After about 25 minutes, the ducks crossed the finish line, and the top 25 ducks were collected in a tube.
Malinowski expects the club to raise over $25,000 from this year’s race. When asked what the hopes are for next year, she expressed, “We’re here to stay”.
The club anticipates a bigger sponsorship for next year, hoping to have 15,000 ducks.
A congratulations to the winners: Matthew Sanchez (1st place), Kelly Smith (2nd place), and Daniel Moore (3rd place).
(Eagle News Service)