Heavily escorted by his keepers the Giant Duck re-appears in Ilkley in preparation for the Great Ilkley Duck Race – to be held this year on Saturday April 20th.
Ilkley Wharfedale Rotary Club co-presidents Jo Jarvis and Peter Mate authorized his release for the Ilkley Business Awards ceremony earlier this month, and consequent to his good behaviour he will be reappearing at various times to assist in Yellow Duck Ticket Sales.
As usual each Yellow Duck Ticket will cost £2, and the first six Ducks home will win prizes - £200 for first place, £100 for second, £75 for third and £50 each for fourth, fifth and sixth. Profits will go to charity and the Club have identified six local charities for support this year - LS29 Special Needs Support Group, Ilkley Youth Club’s Summer of Fun, Great Ilkley Get Together Food Parcels, Clarke Foley Centre, Ilkley Community Transport and Ilkley Good Neighbours. Further donations to be added depending on the profits made.
Rotarians will be selling tickets at various places in the lead-up to the event –
The Grove Saturday Market March 30th
Tesco Car Park, Saturday April 6th
The Real Food Market on The Grove, Sunday April 7th
The Grove Saturday Market, April 13th
Tesco Car Park, Sunday April 14th
Tickets can also be bought online from the Club website – search Ilkley Wharfedale Rotary - except that On Duck Race day itself online sales will cease and tickets can only be bought by the River and on The Grove up to 1pm.
The Ducks will be under Starters Orders at 2pm, and will be launched into the Wharfe from the New Brook St Bridge, with the finish line 350 metres, downstream. The first race is for 100 Red Ducks, sponsored by local businesses, at 2:15pm, with the big launch of up to 6,000 Yellow Ducks at 2:30pm. Results should be announced just after 3pm.
“This is our fourth year” said President Jo Jarvis “ and thanks to everyone who bought tickets last year we raised and donated over £14,000 to worthy causes. We also have to thank our Business Red Duck sponsors – just take a look at their photos on our website – we have some really public spirited businesses in our thriving town and they deserve our support”.
Search Ilkley Wharfedale Rotary for more details.