Ducks Are Getting Ready To Go For Their Annual Swim
Ducks Are Getting Ready
To Go For Their Annual Swim
Why are so many people marking Saturday, May 23. in big red letters on their calendars? Why are people setting aside the hours of 10 am to 2 pm on the busy family-oriented Memorial Day weekend?
The reason is simple: The Ninth Annual Great Pootatuck Duck Race will  be held in Mike Porcoâs spacious lot off Glen Road that day. And many in Newtown will want to attend this festive event.
Numerous community groups will be present talking about their activities or selling their wares. Tony Posca from Andreaâs Pastry Shop will win new converts with the delicious cookies he hands out, while members of Newtown United Methodist Church will be selling hot dogs, hamburgers, soda, and other snacks.
Singers, dancers, and face painters will wander the crowds and there will be different live performances on the stage each half hour.
New this year will be a tug of war contest between members of Newtown Lions Club and Rotary Club of Newtown.
The biggest draw of the day will once again be the race of toy ducks from the Church Hill Road bridge that spans the Pootatuck River, with lucky ticket holders vying for 20 big prizes this year.
First prize is a $2,000 cash award. Second is a weekend in New York with theater tickets, restaurant and hotel included, and third prize is a Nintendo Wii game console.
Other prizes include gift certificates to Sal e Pepe, The Inn at Newtown, The Firehouse Restaurant, and Tambascioâs Italian Grill, among others. In addition, there will be a family pool pass, ten town hall movie passes, a month membership to New Fit, a two-year subscription to The Newtown Bee, Â a 9/11 commemorative flag, and lessons at the Porco Karate Academy, as well as others.
Duck race tickets have been held at $5 once again, and they be purchased in many places around town, including Berkshire Motors, C.H. Booth Library, Dodgingtown Liquor Store, Drug Center Pharmacy, Fun Kuts, Katherineâs Kitchen, Mocha Coffeehouse, Newtown Deli and Catering, Sandy Hook Barber Shop, Sandy Hook Diner, Sandy Hook Hair Company, Sandy Hook Wine & Liquor, The Toy Tree, Village Barber Shop, and Yankee Wine & Liquor.
They may also be purchased from any Lions Club member. Any tickets that are left will be sold the day of the race.
Go get out that magic marker and circle May 23 on your calendar. The ducks are looking forward to seeing you!
For additional information including how to get involved in the festival leading up to the ducks going for their swim, give Gordon Williams a call at 426-6443.