By Jordan Studer
jstuder@wbcowqel.com
The second annual Will and Gary’s Big Rubber Ducky Derby hosted by WQEL and spearheaded by Gary Ogle and Will Beard took place on Saturday morning at Aumiller Park. Since the Sandusky River didn’t have an ample amount of water for the ducks to splash around in, the race was moved to the pool.
Leading up to the event participants had multiple opportunities to visit WQEL radio events at various local businesses to pick a rubber duck and register it to their name. Although it was free for individuals to enter the Ducky Derby, corporate businesses had to pay to enter the first race of the day, the corporate race.
“We have a corporate race that involves Ohio Mutual Insurance Group and also True Value Hardware. We want to thank them for supporting us and sponsoring ducks in this corporate race and we really appreciate their help,” Ogle said.
Since the pool doesn’t flow and the ducks were feeling a little lazy, Ogle took one for the team and cannon-balled off of the high dive to disturb the flock of ducks. As water splashed off the sides, rubber ducks went flying.
Whichever duck hit one of the four sides of the deep end walls or rope was deemed the winner. The corporate winner was rubber duck number 130 belonging to True Value Hardware. The second race for individual participants came next. The winner of the race received a $500 Visa gift card.
Jean Meck had the winning rubber duck, number 227. Meck was not able to participate in the derby last year, so she was very excited to be able to attend this year.
When asked if she is planning on participating next year, Meck replied, “Well, of course!! It’s fun!”
Proceeds collected from the event went to the Backpack Program at Bucyrus City Schools to help children in need of food. Besides the money given by the corporate businesses, the local businesses that participated in the events leading up to the derby also contributed to the profits.