United Way’s Duck Derby to be held May 3 in Farmville

FARMVILLE – The United Way of Prince Edward County’s signature 2nd Annual Great Farmville Duck Derby is almost here and there are just a little over 300 tickets left to sell.

The event is scheduled for Friday, May 3, and will be held at Riverside Park in conjunction with the Heart of Virginia Festival. All proceeds will benefit the United Way’s 22 partner organizations.

Last year’s derby brought in approximately $9,000.

This year, 1,000 tickets were printed, and will be sold until noon the day of the derby. That is, unless they sell out sooner.

“Once they’re gone, I’ll say we sold out,” said Bruce Davis, the board member who originated the idea for the derby and is heading up this year’s organizing. “All 1,000 tickets will be sold … I’m finding that as we get closer to the date, they buy them.”

Tickets for the derby are being sold around town, by some of United Way’s partner organizations, and by United Way board members. Citizen’s Bank & Trust and Benchmark bank are among those selling tickets. Tickets sell for $5 each or five for $20.

The owner of the first place duck will receive $1,000; the second-place duck, $500; and the third-place duck, $250.

The derby is being heavily promoted, with Spirit Night at the Fishn’Pig restaurant in February, and a wine and brew at the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts Center in March. Around town there are banners and even an inflatable yellow duck.

“The duck got everybody talking,” said Lisa Shepherd, assistant branch manager at Benchmark Community Bank where tickets are being sold and a United Way board member. “Everybody who comes in says ‘What’s the duck for?’”

Still, Davis said he would like to see an even stronger marketing effort next year, including a “You’ve Been Ducked” promotion that will see sand-filled ducks placed in some yards.

“I think that You’ve Been Ducked thing will be a good way to get people more involved,” said Jennifer Kinne, a board member and the United Way’s director of marketing.

This year, the United Way has a goal of raising $60,000 to distribute to 22 partners. Nearly 94 percent of the money the group raises goes to its nonprofit partners, United Way President Rucker Snead said.

The United Way has helped with everything from paying for swimming lessons at the YMCA, to helping send 4H members to a show.

In January, the United Way awarded $45,000 to its partners — the most the group has been able to give out at one time in years.

Right now, plans call for the ducks to be released about 6:30 p.m., with the winners announced during a break in the evening’s music at Live at Riverside presented by the Farmville Jaycees.

The board will meet days after the event to begin preparations for next year.

“Capture the lessons learned – what worked, what didn’t work,” said Rucker Snead, president of the United Way’s board of directors.