Third Annual Great Pootatuck Duck Race Coming Soon!

Anyone who has seen members of the Newtown Lions Club behind tables sporting small and large ducks or sitting on a Cub Cadet 15-horsepower tractor may know that the third annual Great Pootatuck Duck Race is coming. The big Newtown Day begins in Sandy Hook center on May 24 at 10 am and will last until 3 pm.

The Governor’s Horse Guard will herald the dumping of the ducks into the Pootatuck River at 2 pm. They also will offer pony rides. Kids will also enjoy a Moon Walk and other games as well as magic shows and face painting. The Yankee Maids Chorus, a division of the Sweet Adelines, will entertain the crowd at 1 pm and periodically throughout the day. Eric Bagger will sing and play his guitar. Mike Porco’s Newtown Karate Academy will demonstrate their karate skills.

The Visiting Nurse Association will do eye screening for children while the Methodist Church will have a tag sale to benefit the Children of Africa Fund. This fund benefits orphans from the civil wars and famine.

The Newtown Historical Society, the Sandy Hook Fire Department, Newtown Woman’s Club, Spay and Neuter Association, Newtown Newcomers’ Club, Friends of the Library, Newtown Ambulance, Family Counseling Center, Newtown Youth Service, Newtown Lions, Committee for Ballet Miniatures, VFW Auxiliary, Friends of Fairfield Hills, Physical Medicine and Wellness Center, Newtown Open Space Committee, Newtown Residential Preservation Society, and other organizations will all have booths.

Anyone interested in these groups will find information about them available. Some groups will also sell items. Any group desiring to set up a booth should call Gordon Williams at 426-6443. For general information call co-chairmen Jim Larin at 426-8971 or Jerry Cole at 426-4529.

First prize in the Duck Race is a Cub Cadet 15-horsepower tractor while the second is a weekend in New York. There will be 22 other prizes including a framed print of Newtown churches from Castle Hill by Newtown artist Betty Christiansen, an X-Box Game Cube, karate lessons at the Newtown Academy of Karate, and a one-month membership to Newtown Health Club. Tickets cost $5 and may be purchased at the Newtown Health Club, Sandy Hook Wine and Liquor, Good Taste, the Toy Tree, Sandy Hook Deli, Sandy Hook Barber Shop, Newtown Drug Center, The Homesteads, the library, the offices of Dr Gellert and Dr Young, or from any Lion.

The public can combine a trip to the Great Pootatuck Duck Race with the Newtown High School Band Parents Association juried craft show. From 10 am to 5 pm in front of Canaan House at Fairfield Hills many fine crafters will present their wares for sale. Among the crafts are silver items, beading, weaving, and furniture. About 25 crafters will participate. Free parking and food will be available.