Steve Jasiecki/Rubber duckies make their way to the finish line.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE – The second annual Rubber Duck Derby sponsored by the Margate Business Association went off without a hitch Sunday morning under a bright blue sky as nearly 1,500 little rubber duckies made their way through the floating racecourse set up on the back bay water near Ray Scott’s Dock.
The ducks were sold to hopeful contributors who plopped down $5 apiece for a chance to win one of three big prizes – $1,000, $500 and $250 pre-paid gift cards. The fundraiser helps the MBA put on other fun events throughout the year. Next up, is the big celebration along the Amherst Avenue marina district – the Fall Funfest by the Bay being held Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24-25.
“The wine tasting held a few weeks ago raises money for scholarships for Margate students, but this fundraiser helps us with the expenses to put on other great events,” MBA Executive Director AnnaMaria Blescia said.
MBA President Ed Berger and Executive Director AnnaMaria Blescia.
Although fewer ducks were sold this year, more people showed up to play a fun table-top duck fishing game, enjoy some great duck related tunes, and pay cornhole near the Margate Municipal Pier. As many as 150 people lined the pier and sidewalk to watch the ducks make their way to the finish line.
Volunteer dumped six containers filled with the little yellow critters into the water and “duck shepherds” paddled their kayaks along the outer edged of the course to make sure none of them escaped.
The ducks took about five minutes to reach their destination. Paddler Steve Jasieck pulled the winners from the narrow passageway and announced the duck number corresponding to the tickets sold.
Renee Petersohn of Worchester, Pennsylvania and Longport, who purchased 10 tickets for the contest, brought her and her neighbor’s children to the event. The girls were anxious to win.
“If we win, we’re going to open a peanut bunker farm,” teen Maria Parisi said.
“Hey, we’re going to have to win first and second place to do that,” Anna Petersohn said.
Greg Baldwin, who lives in the Reading, Pennsylvania area, and a crew of fishers who just returned from a pontoon boat fishing trip sat on the back porch at Ray Scott’s Dock waiting for the action to start.
He said fishing at the popular marina is a family tradition that goes back for decades.
“We caught lots of fish, including three keepers,” one of the fishers said.
After the race concluded, the volunteers on kayaks searched the bay to bring back the duckies who thought they would get their freedom.
The winners are:
Duck #1,498 – Jim Cheesman, 1st place, $1,000
Duck #488 – Rochelle Bogatia, 2nd place, $500
Duck #364 – Mark Rubin, 3rd place, $250
Duck #1,540 – Frank Gromier, honorable mention.
Gromier did not receive a prize, but he’s a winner nonetheless, organizers said. Gromier of GDS Interiors took third place last year and donated his prize money to the MBA. He then joined the business association and has been supporting the organization ever since.
After the race, children participated in the “Duck Dance” contest sponsored by WAYV radio. The winner took home two tickets to see Texas rapper Post Malone.
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