The Duck Race Festival continues to grow and because of it, community organizations, merchants, and sponsors prosper. In this, the 35th annual duck race, we surpassed our donation goal of $175,000 with earnings of $196,262. We put a record 10,129 of ducks in the water, and we even coaxed the sun to come for brief periods of time during the race.
10,129 Ducks dumped into water
Other highlights of this race were an interview with the Governor expertly conducted by our President, Dennis Gellhaus and Big Duck Bill Solms. Governor Polis congratulated us on the community event the duck race has evolved into. We were also fortunate to have our District Governor, Lee Varra Nelson join us to release the ducks from the cage. Mayor Koenig provided some nice congratulatory words at the Duck Drop as well.
DG Lee Varra-Nelson & Mayor Wendy Konig
Mike Overly President Dennis Gellhaus
Our announcers seamlessly moved into some new roles, with Kurtis Kelly moving from the Start Line to the Finish at Riverside Plaza and Dennis Gellhaus taking on emcee chores at the Duck Drop.
President Dennis Gellhaus
Top organizational beneficiaries this year were two Estes Park Schools projects: the Europe trip with $16,082 and contributions to the bands of $12.936. They were followed by the Pet Association, the Glen Haven Fire Department, and Crossroads Ministry. Our own Rotary Foundation came in at number nine with $4,752. Way to go, Rotarians!
High School Band Students & Supporters
A final shout out to everyone on the Committee, all of our team leaders, and the hundreds of volunteers who made this year a successful one. So let’s bask in the glow of our success for at least a few days and make next year’s event even better!
Beth Weisberg, Tim Moore Jim Whiteneck, Madison Casey,
President Dennis Gellhaus
District Governor Lee Varra-Nelson
Jim Austin, Gregg Jurgens, Scott Thompson
Jim Whiteneck, Beth Weisberg, Tim Moore
Chris Davis
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