Kinsmen Club’s Duck Derby a chance to win cash, support community

By KENDALL KING on June 15, 2023.

kking@medicinehatnews.com

Hatters are invited to try their luck at racing rubber ducks at the Kinsmen Club of Medicine Hat’s annual Duck Derby.

Taking place June 24 at Kin Coulee Park, the Duck Derby is a family-friendly fundraising event where you purchase numbered rubber ducks, then race them along a one kilometre stretch of Seven Persons Creek.

“Whomever’s numbers corresponds with the first three ducks to cross the finish line will win cash prizes,” club president Joey Merriman said. “The prizes are $5,000 for first place, $2,500 for second place and $1,250 for third place.”

While the derby allows people a chance to win cash, it also provides an opportunity to give back to the community, says Merriman, as all proceeds go to the Kinsmen Club and its numerous local initiatives.

“Some of the annual things the Kinsmen support are free skating and swimming in the city and Redcliff (and) St. Louis School’s Milk Program,” he said. “We also really love supporting capital projects … we (provided) some money a few years back for the skate park down at Kin Coulee, we supported the children’s library section down at the Medicine Hat Public Library pretty recently and, down at the downtown YMCA, we helped so they could get accessible bathrooms just in the last year.”

With a little more than a week until derby day, Merriman says many have already purchased their ducks.

“We can sell up to 1,000 ducks … and our goal is to sell out,” said Merriman. “I think we’re pretty well on our way. I would guesstimate that we’ve probably sold about 650.”

Ducks sell for $20 each at mhkinsmen.ca, with a limit of 10 per person. The sale cutoff date is June 22.

Merriman says all are welcome on derby day, whether they purchase a duck or not.

The derby begins at 11 a.m. Following the derby, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., community members are invited to the Kin Coulee bandshell for a free hot dog lunch and community celebration put on by the Kinsmen Club. Several family-friendly activities will be set up, including pedal tractors and bouncy castles.

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