Duck Race, Tube Race, Trophies and over $500 in Prizes
1,000 ducks will brave the river this Saturday. You would have to be crazy to race down a river if you were less than four inches long and weighed only a few ounces or you might find comfort in numbers. Whatever gives them the courage, over a thousand rubber ducks will take a plunge into the South Yadkin near the Cooleemee dam on Saturday, July 20th at 2 pm sharp.
The first numbered duck to reach the finish line downriver will win their “owner” a cash prize of $300. The 2nd place winner will garner its ticket-buyer $150 with the 3rd place better will win $75. That’s some duck grease to take home!
Duck Race Begins 2:00 PM Sharp
This is the fourth year for the Great Bullhole Duck Race & Festival and it will run from 11 am to 3 pm at RiverPark, found at the end of Erwin Temple Church Road (just ½ mile from Cooleemee off Hwy 801 & Needmore Road).There will be games, food, and some special kids activities. The Duck Race will begin at 2 pm SHARP, when all of the numbered ducks are dumped into the river by the O’Neal Race Team.
Tube Race Registration
The 2nd Annual South Yadkin Tube Race will once again run in conjunction with this event and it begins at 11 a.m. at the Cooleemee Junction Wildlife area. First place winner is awarded a unique trophy and a $100 cash prize.
Official Tube Race contestants must fill out a registration form, a liability waiver and have signed a copy of the Official Rules. An early fee of $10 may be submitted with this paperwork before July 19th. The fee will go up to $15 the day of the race. Regulation tubes and life vests can be rented at the Junction before the race begins ($5 each). To get registered, call (336) 284-6040.
This year, RiverPark will provide parking and transportation to the Junction from the RiverPark Picnic Shelter on the Rowan side at 10:30 am sharp. Get there early if you have not filled out your paperwork or paid your fee. Or, get dropped off at the Junction by 10:30 am.
Tickets can be purchased at Village Auto, Davie Discount Drugs and the Zachary House in Cooleemee, at the Chamber of Commerce in Mocksville and the LandTrust office at the old railroad Depot in Salisbury. Duck tickets will also be sold until 1 pm at RiverPark but no later.
All proceeds from these races go to keep RiverPark open, clean and safe. “If you love the Bullhole, show your support,” says Waller.