Frequently asked Questions about the Great Rubber Duck Race
Aquatics Foundation of Southern Oregon
THE GREAT RUBBER DUCKY RACE ~ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Why a Ducky race?
The Rubbery Ducky Race is a fun community event, and the single most important fundraiser of the Aquatics Foundation of Southern Oregon – money from the race supports our region’s pools for community users.
What's a Rubber Ducky Race?
A Rubber Ducky race is a raffle, but instead of picking tickets out of a barrel the numbered Duckies randomly decide the raffle winners by floating down Ashland Creek – if the Ducky with your raffle ticket number comes in 1st, you win! 2nd thru 30th prizes are determined by the Duckys crossing the finish line in that order.
Where and when is the Rubber Ducky Race?
Our race will be held this year on Ashland Creek in Lithia Park in Ashland, on July 11th at 10 a.m. Duckies will be released from a bridge behind the bandshell, and the finish line will be at the children's pool near the playground. Come cheer your rubber Ducky along at the playground finish line!
Can I keep my rubber Ducky? Can I throw in my own rubber Ducky?
No. Whereabouts of the Duckies are under tight security throughout this process, and they must all be dumped into the creek at the same moment, so that the winner is completely random and the outcome is fair. No one can throw in their own rubber Ducky, or touch any Ducky in the creek, or even step in the creek while the race is going on. The banks of Ashland Creek will be cordoned-off, and Ashland Parks has a no-wading policy in Ashland Creek anyway (except in the children's pool). The Duckys remain the property of AFSO, so that we can hold this event annually. But you will know your Ducky number – it's printed on the edge of your ticket!
Is this race bad for the creek or the park environment?
No. Ashland Parks Commission has carefully investigated this question before giving their endorsement of this event. After input from several fish biologists and ecologists familiar with this waterway, they came to the conclusion that holding this event on this date poses no risk to fish or fish habitats, or to the creek or its banks – provided we cordon off the banks and keep the public away from the water. The Parks Commission has made an exception so that our personnel can clean-up stray rubber Duckys after the race has finished, and they will also be cleaning-up litter from the creek as they go. In this sense, the event will be good for the park!
Can I attend the Ducky race?
YES! We hope that you will come and cheer on the Ducky you have adopted! It's really fun…
Can I adopt more than one rubber Ducky?
YES! Improve your odds and adopt a flock!
What are the odds?
AFSO hopes to sell 3,000 ducky adoptions this year. We will have over 30 prizes offered, of various values.
Many of the prizes are listed on the back of the ticket, but there are even more that are not listed here.
What's the money being used for?
AFSO is a non-profit 501(c)3 aquatics advocacy coalition that has partnered with SOU and has negotiated an agreement to open the SOU pool to community users from all over the Rogue Valley (including Rogue Valley Masters, Southern Oregon Water Polo, AHS & Rogue Valley Water Polo, Superior Stingray Swimmers, Ashland, Phoenix and Medford Swim Teams, and other swim & boating safety, scuba classes and certifications). This fundraiser will not only assist in paying pool rental fees, it will help further AFSO’s goals in support of a major aquatics facility in Southern Oregon.
AFSO Contacts: Jana Carole – 482-8802 (jana@mind.net) ; Keith Swink – 482-1133 (kswink@mind.net) ; Jim Heath – jcheath2@earthlink.net
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