6th Annual Pootatuck Duck Race Is A Splashing Success

By Kendra Bobowick

Saturday’s Lions Club 6th Annual Great Pootatuck Duck Race was a record breaker.

“We sold all the tickets, and we never sold out before,” said club President Jon Christensen.

Ticket sales ultimately meant winners, which Duck Race Committee Chairman and Lion Matt DeAngelis noted.

“We had 59 winners,” he said. Of note are the top three winners and prizes; Newtown resident Martha Friar won the Cub Cadet tractor, Sandy Hook resident Steve Carr won a trip, dinner, and hotel stay to New York City, and the highly praised X-box 360 “that all the kids wanted” went to Ian Humber, Mr DeAngelis said.

The success was almost, but not entirely, a surprise to Mr Christensen.

“We suspected a sellout a week and a half before when we were running low [on ducks],” he said.

Residents “adopted” the 3,000 small, bright yellow rubber ducks for $5 each to support a civic effort. This year, contributions will benefit the Canine Advocates of Newtown (CAN), headed by Virginia Jess. Her organization is raising funds for a new dog pound. Although numbers were unconfirmed as of Wednesday afternoon, Mr DeAngelis thinks that roughly $11,000 or more will go to CAN after expenses, he said.

Mr DeAngelis thinks that the dogs improved sales.

This year’s event “was huge, and it was a dog thing. I have always said that Newtown is a great place to be a dog,” he said.

Mr Christensen also attributes much of this year’s accomplishment to the cause, saying, “The Canine Advocates have attracted a lot of attention.” CAN members also pushed to promote the fundraising efforts, which have been ongoing throughout the community and have been well supported by many groups.

Mr Christensen thinks that the ducks are beginning to generate their own luck.

“People are beginning to expect this event like a tradition and it has been bigger and bigger every year,” he said. The atmosphere, expanded from the tables lining the streets, has now moved to the boardwalk along the river in Sandy Hook Center behind the Red Brick Tavern and occupied the lot and pavilion. Local clubs and organizations set up informational booths, entertainment included karate demonstrations from Porco’s Karate Academy, a production of Peter and the Wolf by A Graceful Planet, and other attractions including face painting, a bouncy house, and refreshments.

“This is becoming more and more like a festival,” Mr Christensen said.

He also mentioned local entertainment provided by the Newtown High School Orchestra directed by Michelle Hiscabich, New Fairfield/Candlewood Lions member “Magic Marty” Steinberg who walked the crowd entertaining with magic tricks, Bob Schmidt on the keyboard, and Newtown Bee Associate Editor John Voket who served as master of ceremonies for the event.

“People are starting to look forward to it,” Mr Christensen said. “They like watching the little ducks go down the river — it’s silly, but people like it.”

The Newtown Historical Society, The Newtown Forest Association, and the Newtown Bridle Lands Association Inc, various parent groups, local businesses, and many civic organizations like the event. They had representatives on hand with information about their respective groups.

Tipping his hat a final time, Mr Christensen said, “The Lions Club Duck Race Committee did a wonderful job.” He is particularly appreciative of Mr DeAngelis, who served as committee chair.

CAN representative Virginia Jess also expressed her appreciation for the Lions’ efforts, which included a pancake breakfast to benefit CAN held several weeks ago as well. “I am just so happy, the Lions have done a lot for us,” she said.

This year’s race also impressed Ms Jess. “It was the most people I had ever seen at the race.”

She thinks that support for the new pound is gaining momentum.

“Everyone is starting to get on the bandwagon to do this,” she said. This week she has accumulated $30,000 before counting proceeds from recent events, donations, and the duck race. Her aim is $500,000; however, first selectman Herb Rosenthal has said that the town will match her funds. She also has spoken with Mr Rosenthal regarding a piece of property to locate a new pound.

Although neither agreement is in writing, she maintains confident, she said. CAN and supporters hope to relocate and improve the pound, which is now directly behind the town dump.