The Rotary Duck Race proved for the second year that a pandemic could not dampen the community spirit that propels the 33-year-old event. Because a record number of ducks were adopted, 7,198 to be exact, the 65 Participating Organizations will receive a projected $118,579 to shore up their budgets and continue their important work in the Estes Valley.
The May 1 event got an early start with a breakfast at The Egg of Estes for Duck Race Committee volunteers, followed by the Estes Park Running Club’s Duck Waddle 5K on the scenic Lake Estes Trail. Beginning at noon, programming was live-streamed from The Estes Valley Community Center’s Lazy River and viewed on YouTube, Facebook and TDS Channel 8/108 - The Rocky Mountain Channel. A Pre-Flight Show featured performances by singer/songwriter Cowboy Brad Fitch and Ballet Renaissance. Kurtis Kelly and Scott Thompson served as emcees and provided lively commentary as Major Sponsor and little race ducks navigated the current of The Lazy River. Personnel from the Estes Valley Fire Protection District, Glen Haven Area Volunteer Fire Department and Pinewood Springs Fire Protection District represented first responders that were honored this year for their heroic efforts during the recent wildfires. They participated in the duck drop and shared a timely message about wildfire preparedness.
The top prize winners for 2021 were:
- Mark Wagner - $5,000
- Donald Kutz - $2,500
- Christopher Marr - $1,000
- Kenny Lefebvre – Yellowstone Vacation Package
- Debby Westley – Glacier National Park Vacation Package
Leading the Rotary Duck Race flock this year as ‘Big Duck’, Bill Solms met the challenge of capturing the spirit of the event without the benefit of its traditional outdoor venues and cheering race fans. After the last duck was plucked from The Lazy River, Solms ‘quacked out’ some well-deserved thanks to several partners.
“On behalf of Rotary and all those who worked so hard to help this event accomplish its purposes, I thank all who invested in this venture: the Town of Estes Park, the Estes Valley Community Center, Mayor Wendy Koenig, Chief David Wolf, and all of our other firefighting forces!”
Solms is most appreciate of the strong community support that resulted in a record-breaking number of Duck Adoptions.
“This year’s 33rd Rotary Duck Race allows us to send vital support to 65 participating non-profits as summer begins,” he added.
Looking ahead to 2022, the Rotary Duck Race Committee is anticipating a return to the traditional format, with ducks racing on the Fall River from Nicky’s to Riverside Plaza. During 2020 and 2021, the race occurred indoors and without spectators, for the safety of race fans and volunteers.
One former Big Duck said the 2021 race “proved its mettle and staying power for this community by hanging in there for the long haul and adapting to a worldwide pandemic. The fact that the Duck Race is standing strong and ready to go back to the river shows its important value to the community because people show up to support it no matter what.”
Don Widrig, volunteer since 2002 who wrote the 41,000 lines computer code that runs all aspects of the race added his praise, “I rank this as the best race that I have ever participated in.”
Since its inception in 1989, the Duck Race has distributed $2.9 million to various Participating Organizations.
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