Llamas, Alpacas, Goats, And Dogs To Appear

At The Great Pootatuck Duck Race

Never mind the Catskill Game Farm! Forget that projected visit to the Beardsley Zoo. Residents who visit the Great Pootatuck Duck Race in the hours leading up to the big race itself will find more than just ducks at this years prerace festival. There will also be llamas, alpacas, goats, and dogs at the eighth annual Great Pootatuck Duck Race.

Chris and John Russo’s llamas will again be available for petting and admiration as well as alpacas and goats from Rowanwood Farms. Canine Advocates of Newtown have promised that a number of their favored critters will be wagging their tails for visitors, too.

The Great Pootatuck Duck Race, sponsored by Newtown Lions Club, will return to Sandy Hook Saturday, May 24. The event will be held in Mike Porco’s parklike lot at on Glen Road and will occur from 10 am until 2 pm, rain or shine.

Many community groups will be represented, handing out brochures about their organization or offering items for purchase things. Among the groups represented will be Al’s Trail, Canine Advocates, the Children’s Adventure Center, the Democratic Town Committee, Golden Opportunities, The Graceful Planet, Kevin’s Community Center, Lathrop School of Dance, Newtown Historical Society, Newtown Karate Academy, Newtown Lions, Newtown Lyme Disease, Newtown Woman’s Club, Newtown Youth & Family Services, the Republican Town Committee, Roots for Newtown, Sandy Hook Fire Department, Spay and Neuter, Visiting Nurse Association, and Women Involved in Newtown (WIN).

Several business have asked to have a booth as well, including Toll Brothers, Regency of Newtown, Senior Helper, The Woods at Newtown, The Dressing Room Boutique, and Panino’s Restaurant of Monroe.

In addition to community groups, Magic Marty will be pulling rabbits out of hats and there will be face painters and clowns working the crowds. A Bounce House will give the youngsters something to jump about.

On the stage, Duck Race Chairman Bob Schmidt will entertain with his songs and serve as emcee for the day. From 11:15 to 11:45 there will be a demonstration by students of Porco Karate Academy; students and faculty from The Graceful Planet will have the stage area from 11:45 to 12:30; national recording artist Lucinda will be at the microphone to perform some of her original songs along with Michael Connolly from 12:30 until 1; and then at 1, back by popular demand, the Lathrop School of Dance will perform, followed by Porco Karate Academy for a second performance.

At 1:50, the Lions will begin to load the ducks onto Mike Porco’s truck and everyone will gather by the river to get ready for the race, which begins exactly at 2 when the ducks are dumped from the bridge into the Pootatuck.

When the ducks reach their destination, the first 20 crossing the finish line will win prizes for their owners. First prize this year is a Sharp 42-inch HDTV with a 1,000-watt surround sound DVD player; second prize is an evening in New York with hotel, dinner, and theater tickets; third prize is the popular Sharp Blu-Ray high definition DVD player; and, fourth is a gift certificate for Sapphire in-office teeth whitening service provided by Dr Richard Fisher.

Other prizes include a two-year subscription to The Newtown Bee, a gift basket from Lexington Gardens, movie passes for Edmond Town Hall, one-month membership to Club NewFit, a golf bag, and plenty of gift certificates, including Avancé Esthétiques, Roberto’s Restaurant, Tambascio’s Restaurant, Sal e Pepe Restaurant, Pizza Palace Restaurant, The Villa, The Inn at Newtown, Firehouse Restaurant, Mona Lisa Restaurant, My Place Restaurant, and Carminuccio’s Restaurant.

Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased in advance from any Lions Club member, or at Berkshire Motors, Drug Center Pharmacy, Fun Cuts, The Green Barn, Sandy Hook Hair Company, Mocha Coffee House, Newtown Car Wash, Sandy Hook Liquor, The Toy Tree, Katherine’s Kitchen, Red Brick Tavern, Newtown Deli & Catering, Yankee Wine and Liquor, Sandy Hook Diner, Sandy Hook Barber Shop, Dodgingtown Liquor, Village Barber Shop, MC Cleaners, and Bagel Delight.

Any tickets that are not sold by Saturday will be sold in the hours leading up to the race.

The Great Pootatuck Duck Race, like the Friends of the Library Book Sale, Relay For Life and the Labor Day Parade, is one of the premier events of Newtown’s year.

“It’s a special event that you won’t want to miss,” promises chairman Bob Schmidt.