Town Comes Out For The Great Pootatuck Duck Race

By Larissa Lytwyn

In a marked contrast to last year’s gray and drizzle-filled event, the fourth annual Newtown Lions Club Great Pootatuck Duck Race took place on one of the clearest, crispest afternoons in May.

Town residents were still trying to make last-minute entries just 15 minutes before the duck launch.

“Sorry, we’re all out of ducks — but you are welcome to make a donation [to the Newtown Lions],” raffle organizer Kent Carpenter told one woman.

“We’ve had a great turnout this year,” Mr Carpenter, a Lions member, said with a smile. “As you can see, we’ve had to turn people away!”

Ducks were $5 each.

“This year, our proceeds are going to refurbish the theater seats in Edmond Town Hall,” said Jim Larin, a Newtown Lion.

Hundreds of onlookers gathered in the usually quiet center of Sandy Hook to secure a prime viewing spot around the Pootatuck River.

Marissa Metcalf and her brother John, both fifth graders at Reed Intermediate School, said they were enjoying their first time at the duck race.

“There was a lot for us to do today,” said Marissa. “There’s been a lot going on around town.”

Several local community service and youth organizations held fairs and other activities in walking distance to the Pootatuck.

“We went on the Moon Bounce [at the Newtown United Methodist Church tag sale] and stopped by the 4-H Plant Sale,” said Marissa. She and John also enjoyed their first ice cream truck visit of the season.

“It’s been a fun day,” she said. “We can’t wait to see the ducks!”

Their friend, Ian Hribak, also a fifth grader at Reed, said he’s been to the duck race all three years. “It’s fun,” he said. “I like being here with my friends.”

Also passing through the crowds were three magicians, two from a Danbury-based magicians’ group and Newtown Lion Martin Steinberg.

Wearing a top hat and cape, Mr Steinberg entertained young children with penny disappearing tricks and other “magical mysteries.”

“We’ve had a wonderful turnout,” he said. “The weather is beautiful.”

Diane Orlando and her daughter Sarah waited patiently against a rail overlooking the Pootatuck.

“Sarah is home from college and really wanted to get to the duck race this year,” said Ms Orlando. “She told me, ‘Mom, I don’t care what’s going on today, I’m going to go to the duck race!’ It’s pretty exciting.”

At five minutes after 2 pm, town resident Michael Porco slowly drove his bucket loader to the edge of the river.

The crowd roared with cheers and claps.

The giant yellow bucket slowly rose — and overturned — to dump approximately 2,000 of bright yellow rubber ducks into the water.

“They’re so cute!” one girl squealed.

Immediately, hundreds of ducks swept downriver — although several quickly became hindered behind a rocky spit.

Fifteen minutes later, the ducks were being plucked from the water to land safely on shore.

Mr Larin announced the correlating names of the residents whose numbers matched with the first lucky 30 ducks to be drawn.

Top prizes included a Cub Cadet Model 2138 Tractor won by Ken Godfrey.

“It’s an even bigger tractor than last year!” Mr Larin declared.

Daniel Manville won the “Night in New York City” package, which includes gift certificates redeemable at the Essex House Hotel, dinner, and concert passes from Ticketmaster.

Molly Mariachi won an X-Box Game Cube and $100 gift certificate, Pam Tricky won two Paul Landry prints, Graham Andrews won a Phillips CD system, Gary Fillion won a gift certificate to Avance Esthetiques, and Victoria Dinielli, Emily Wright, and Tucker Fry each won a $65 gift certificate to Ricci’s Salon.

Lynn Brault won a lunch for two at the Inn at Newtown, Cliff Smith won a two-year subscription to The Newtown Bee, Ray Berendsche won a $40 gift certificate to Mona Lisa Restaurant, George Vanbrockt won a $40 gift certificate to Villa Restaurant, Lou Fargione won a $25 gift certificate to Lexington Gardens, Lorena Taylor won a $25 gift certificate to El Coyote.

Meriah Tani, Jeff Homes, and Jeff Skewes won one-month memberships to Newtown Health and Fitness, LeeAnn Stone won a family pool pass to Newtown pools, Mark DeWolfe and Donald L. Ferris won $25 gift certificates to the Clock Shop, Violet Mattone, Paula Bowser, and Frank DeGenlamo won $25 gift certificates to Bethel Tan & Body, and Jack Dudbee won ten free movies passes to Edmond Town Hall.