Great Pootatuck Duck Race Will Splash Down On May 23

The Ninth Annual Great Pootatuck Duck Race, sponsored by Newtown Lions Club, will return to Sandy Hook Center Saturday, May 23, from 10 am to 2 pm, at Mike Porco’s lot on Glen Road just off Church Hill.

There are some wonderful prizes offered. The first toy duck to cross the finish line after the thousands of ducks are ceremoniously dumped from a bucket loader on the bridge at the bottom of Church Hill Road at 2 pm will win its owner $2,000 in cash.

Second prize this year is an all-expense-paid weekend trip for two to New York City including theater tickets, hotel, and restaurant. Third prize is a Nintendo Wii console video game with Wii Play and remote bundle.

Other prizes include a family pool pass to Treadwell Park, one month memberships at Porco’s Karate Academy and Club NewFit, gift certificates to restaurants including Sal e Pepe, Blue Colony Diner, The Inn at Newtown, My Place, Mona Lisa, Pizza Palace, the Villa, and  the  Firehouse.

In addition there are a two-year subscription to The Newtown Bee, ten free movies passes to Edmond Town Hall, a gift certificate from Stop & Shop, and a gift basket from Lexington Gardens.

During the four hours leading up to the duck race itself there will be plenty to do.  On stage there will be performances starting with The Moon Jumpers shortly after 10 and continuing with the bluegrass music of Marybeth and Gary Sippin and dancers from The Graceful Planet.

At noon will bring a new addition to the duck race: a tug of war between members of Newtown Lions Club and Rotary Club of Newtown.  After that will appear Magic Marty, the Porco Karate demonstrators and the traditional finale, performers from Lathrop School of Dance.

A moonbounce will entertain kids and magicians will work the crowd. There will be lots of animals to pet, including Chris and Jack Russo’s wonderful llamas.

Many community groups will be represented with booths touting their organizations. Among them are Canine Advocates, Children’s Adventure Center, Clean Energy Task Force, Colorful Creations for a Cancer Cure, Democratic Town Committee, The Dressing Room, GM’s hydrogen-powered SUV, Golden Opportunities, Inspired Revelry, Kevin’s Community Center, Newtown Ambulance, Newtown Forest Association, Newtown Karate Academy, Newtown Lions, Newtown Lyme Disease Task Force, Newtown Rotary, Newtown Woman’s Club, NUSAR, Pootatuck Watershed Association, Trout Unlimited, Relay For Life, Republican Town Committee, Roots for Newtown and Al’s Trail, Salvation Army Newtown, Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue Company, Spay and Neuter, Visiting Nurse Association, Women Involved in Newtown, Rowanwood Farms, Senior Helpers, and Trinity Youth Group.

You won’t be hungry either.  As usual, Tony Posco from Andrea’s Bakery will be passing out cookies. There will also be an ice cream truck and hot dogs and hamburgers available from the Methodist Church.

Like the library book sale, the Labor Day Parade and Earth Day, The Great Pootatuck Duck Race is an event not to be missed. Bob Schmidt, the chairman, has promised to make it the best one ever!