Duck Races 2012

Anthony, last year’s poster boy, couldn’t find the duck suit

KISMET’S ANNUAL DUCK RACES
Sponsored by the Kismet Fire Department
SUNDAY AUGUST 19th at 11am

By Bradlee White, photos by Bradlee & Dennis

Mike Fiore had seen Duck Races elsewhere and suggested them for Fire Department fund raiser. Joe McKean adapted it for Kismet some number of years ago. A 24-foot frame was built. Each year, after the frame is located behind the firehouse, it’s reassembled, a liner installed, and water added. Fans are the source of propulsion for the numbered plastic “swimming” ducks. The volunteers donned their Ducks t-shirts and went to work last Sunday morning. Once the waterway, the ticket sellers (Janet, Linda and Kelli Bertucci for the 50-50) and the duck dispensers (Joan Mc, Rose L., Cindy S., Chris R., Patty, Rudy, Judy P., Jennifer M. were in place, the KFD Mule headed out to alert the town. Chief Dom drove while John A. quacked the announcement via megaphone. It didn’t take long for the yard to fill up. Sam and Cody made some last minute adjustments. The star of the show, the grand race sponsor and announcer, Frank Boulton, stepped up with his portable mike. Then they were off. As they neared the finish line, Joe plucked the winning ducks out of the water and gave them to Vic who then transmitted the winning numbers to Patty R. and Lauren to record on a flip chart. Frank supplied all the prizes. The children (every child got something) got autographed baseballs, hats and caps, Duck bobble heads and Duck quackers. There were books autographed by Buddy Harrelson and Phil Pepe and, best of all, sky box seats to a Duck’s game for the Adults 50-50 race. Zebo of Cartoon Alley will be giving his nephews the 1^st and 3^rd prizes he won in the regular Adults races. The grand last heat – the 50-50 – saw Jimmy S. winning $600 (with $600 going to the Fire Department). Rudy and Patty won second place and John A. won third. It didn’t last long but it was a whole lot of fun for everyone.