The Newtown Lions Club is kicking off Newtown’s Labor Day weekend in Sandy Hook Center on Saturday, September 4, with the long-awaited 2021 Great Pootatuck Duck Race.

Recent rainfall pretty much ensures a great race down the Pootatuck River after First Selectman Dan Rosenthal pulls the lever to dump thousands of numbered yellow rubber ducks from the Church Hill Road bridge.

The first 20 ducks to cross the downstream finish line will win prizes for their sponsors, including a $2,000 first prize, a $500 weekend getaway card, and 18 prize packages donated by local businesses.

Proceeds from the event will help fund dozens of local and regional causes addressing vision, diabetes, mental health, hunger, 12/14 recovery, and more. According to Great Pootatuck Duck Race Chair Bob Schmidt, the Lions are hoping for a great turnout because Newtown “deserves a special day” and “because the cancelation of last year’s race meant the Lions were unable to fund local charities as we have in the past. We want to help them out of this hard time.”

Festivities will begin in Sandy Hook Center in the park at 3 Glen Road at 11 am with fun for the whole family and culminate with the duck race at 2:30 pm.

Special guests include entertainment by DJ Bob, Unclaimed Baggage Band, Ashurst School of Irish Dance, Porco Karate Academy, Lathrop School of Dance, and Rowanwood Farm llamas for youngsters and the young at heart.

Local organizations will offer information about services and opportunities, candidates for local boards are welcome, and there will be games for kids.

Prize winners will be announced at about 3 pm. Winners who are not present will be contacted by phone on September 5.

The event itself is free, but those interested in winning prizes or just helping a good cause can “adopt” ducks for $5 each until 2 pm at three locations at the event — two on Church Hill Road and one in the Glen Road park.

Tickets are also being sold through September 2 at Bagel Delight, the C.H. Booth Library, Cork-N-Barrel Liquor, Dodgingtown Craft and Spirits, Fun Kuts, JoAnn’s Fitness, PJ’s Laundromat, Queen Street Cleaners, Yankee Wine and Spirits, Nick’s Chilled and Distilled, Sandy Hook Diner, Newtown Café, WHIP Salon, and Toy Tree.

They are also available through August 28 at locations posted on the Newtown Lions Club (CT) Facebook page.

The club is taking precautions due to COVID-19.

“We hope we’ll have a great turnout of Newtown residents,” said Schmidt. “However, it is important for all attendees to be safe, feel safe, and keep others safe. The members of the duck race committee have all been vaccinated, and we urge attendees who have not been vaccinated to wear masks, even though the event is entirely outdoors.

“Of course, if anyone is not feeling well, we ask that they stay home and watch the race broadcast live on the Newtown Lions Club (CT) Facebook page,” he added.

Other precautions include hand sanitizer at all ticket booths and the stage area, limiting the number of exhibitors and spacing their tables, and modifying children’s activities — which are all free — including replacing the usual bounce house with a 22-foot inflatable double slide, spin art, and games.

Although weather and pandemic conditions may require adaptations, “The race will go on!” promises Schmidt.

If the pandemic forces cancelation of the public event, the Lions will still dump the ducks for the Facebook broadcast at 2:30 pm. If the event is rained out, the race but not the event will be rescheduled, and winners announced at a later date. Winners need not be present.

Food will be available from nearby Sandy Hook restaurants.

For additional information about the 2021 Duck Race, Newtown Lions Club, or the Lions’ charities, contact Bob Schmidt at 203-426-1222 or serenitysh@yahoo.com.