The Muskingum Lakes Chapter of the American Red Cross couldnt have asked for nicer weather on Sunday, June 5, when they held their 12th annual Duck Race at Dover City Park.
Music filled the air and could be heard on both sides of the creek bank as the Dover Steel Drum Band played for the hundreds of people in attendance. Members of both the Dover High School Marching Tornadoes and Dover Steel Drum Band played their versions of classic rock songs later in the afternoon in a band they put together called Informal Reliance.
Chad Conrad, director for the local Red Cross chapter and more than 30 volunteers were on hand to assist with games and craft stations for kids of all ages that earned Ducky Dollars that could be turned in for prizes.
Nine-year-old Logan Page manned the ring toss game. Im not really sure how long I have volunteered with the Red Cross, said Page. Its fun to help out. Heather Page, water safety instructor for the local Red Cross chapter, and Logans mom, said, Ive been with the Red Cross since 1998 and Logan has been volunteering for six years.
Traci Friegl, a trustee for the Dover Band Boosters, said, We help the Red Cross sell ducks and sponsorships and this partnership allows both the band boosters and the Red Cross to earn money in the fundraiser.
The annual event has grown considerably in 12 years and now takes place on both sides of the creek running through the city park. More than 2,670 ducks were sold this year. We hope to make about $10,000, said Conrad. Its one of our best events. The idea for the duck race came from a similar event held by the Red Cross in Stark County.
Elaine Lile, a 10-year volunteer with the local chapter, said, This is a great family event that brings people out to help such a good cause. We are pleased that all the money we raise stays in our region to help the people who need it.
The highlight of the event took place promptly at 3:30 when volunteers placed more than 2,600 rubber ducks in the creek where they traveled the 50-yard course with the help of a few leaf blowers due to the slow current in the water.
Top prize in the race went to Michelle Parson of Dover and her partner, Vic Hren, of New Philadelphia. Weve been coming to this event for about four years, said Parson. We are so happy to have won, said Hren. We think it is a good cause but to win has made it even more fun. The couple won a 32-inch Class LCD HD television. They spent $25 on ducks in the race.
The second place prize winner, Moomaw Automotive at Sugarcreek, took home a Kinect for X-Box 360 controller-free game system.
Lori Wyatt won third place, with her prize consisting of four tickets to Kennywood at West Mifflin, Pa., and four free breakfasts from McDonalds.
Fourth and fifth place prizes were four tickets to Waldameer Water World at Erie, Pa., and four free desserts from McDonalds. Prizes were awarded to Tonya Daley and Denny and Beth Kaser.
Other prizes were awarded and everyone felt like a winner after a very successful fundraiser.
Red Cross services include disaster relief, health and safety education and services for military families. In 1980, American Red Cross chapters in the city of Dover and Tuscarawas, Harrison, and Carroll counties merged to become the Muskingum Lakes Chapter. Today, the Muskingum Lakes Chapter of the American Red Cross serves more than 125,000 residents in Carroll, Harrison and Tuscarawas counties.
