The world famous Ducky Wucky River Race will be held on May 15, 2021, returning to its traditional springtime running after moving to the late summer last year due to the pandemic.   As always, one lucky duck will win the grand prize of dinner for two anywhere in the world! Tickets on sale now at www.duckywucky.org.
     The Rotary Club of Ayer, Harvard, Shirley and Devens is pleased to announce the 2021 Ducky Wucky River Race will be held on May 15, 2021. The first lucky duck to cross the finish line will win its sponsor dinner for two anywhere in the world!  
     The duck race has been the premier fundraiser for the Ayer Rotary Club for over 30 years.  To sponsor a duck, purchase a ticket from members of the Rotary Club or online at duckywucky.org.
The race will again be run following pandemic protocols with only race officials and duck wranglers in attendance.  The grand-prize winner and runner-up winners will be posted on www.DuckyWucky.org.
     Last year, National Guardsman Kiernan Cournoyer’s duck was the first to cross the finish line.  Newly engaged at the time, Cournoyer planned to use the grand prize for a honeymoon.  Due to the pandemic, the winner will have two years from the date of the race to book their travel.  Past winners have chosen to travel to Paris, Japan, Rome, Australia, Hawaii, Africa, Bali, and of course, Disney World.  
     The grand prize includes airfare, two nights hotel accommodations and dinner for two.  In addition to the grand prize, there are dozens of runner-up prizes including such items as sunset boat cruises, fly fishing lessons and gift certificates to local restaurants and merchants.
Here's how the race works: thousands of sponsored ducks paddle down the Nashua River from the starting line off of Still River Road in Harvard, with the winning quacker scoring its owner the grand prize. Ducky wranglers and booms ensure the ducks are retrieved for next year’s race.
     Each sponsored duck raises funds for the Rotary to support many charitable causes, including local food pantries, high school scholarships, youth sports programs, ramps for housebound individuals, dictionaries for third graders, support for local fire and police departments, and international relief efforts.
Tickets are on sale now at duckywucky.org and from Rotary Club members.  Tickets are $5 for a single duck, $20 for a flock, or $40 for 13 quackers, with a 50-cent charge for online orders.
     This year’s race sponsors include Alexander Advisors, Ayer Moving and Storage, The Bull Run, Gervais Ford, Main Street Bank, Nikopolous Insurance Agency, Phoenix Park, Reese’s Travel Adventures, Robert C. Alario Certified Public Accountants, PC and Thomas E. Sears Insurance Agency, Inc.
For more information about the Apple Blossom Festival and the Ducky Wucky River Race, or to find out where to purchase a duck, visit www.DuckyWucky.org.  To learn more about the Ayer Harvard Shirley Rotary Club, visit www.AyerRotary.com.
 
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