2nd Annual Great Pompeston Rubber Duck Race

Greetings everyone! Sorry I've been MIA for awhile - things never seem to get any calmer or quieter these days! So much has been going on - to quote Inigo Montoya in the Princess Bride: "Let me explain - no, there is too much! Let me sum up!"

Where to begin? My husband got really sick again, took him to the hospital when symptoms of congestive heart failure reappeared. Turned out the CHF had been brought on by a non-existent hemoglobin count. After 7 units of blood and 2 units of plasma and a week in ICU, he was released perky as can be. Still undergoing tests to figure out why the count dropped, but so far, so good.

The rest of the chaos has been caused by much more pleasant events. My daughter and I spent Easter Sunday at the Baptist Home in Riverton, visiting people who had no other company - I did indeed dress as a large rabbit (my daughter was afraid people would get overmedicated the next day - "but Doctor, I really did see a 5 foot tall rabbit!"). We gave out flowers and stickers and little bunnies - the nurses got candy- and everyone seemed to have a good time.

So, I put the rabbit suit away for another year, sit to take a breath and my son tells us that he got engaged. Not too bad, mother of the groom and all that, right? Not to be outdone, my daughter announces that she got a job! In her field! In New Mexico! And it starts in a week and a half!

Great! We got her all packed up and ready to go - and find out that she's leaving her cat behind with us (my animals can't stand her cat!) because the job is just for the summer. And then she's moving to Wisconsin for another job!

The starting date of the New Mexico job came just in time for her to escape helping out with the duck race - I wonder if that's coincidence or good planning on her part?

This whirlwind of activity (that also included working and having 3 turtle talks scheduled) has all been swirling around preparations for this weekend - The 2nd Annual Great Pompeston Rubber Duck Race!

It looks like the weather and the tide will be on our side (unlike last year) and everything seems to be falling into place. The event takes place this Saturday, April 27th, at the Riverton Memorial Park, from about 2:00ish to about 6:00PM- the official listed times are 3-5PM. Post time for the actual duck race will be at about 4:30-4:40, just after the tide turns.

With the lunar high tide, it should only take about 5-10 minutes for the ducks to reach the finish line at the Broad Street bridge. There will be cameras set up along the creek and at the finish line so that spectators at the park can watch the action. There are gold, silver and bronze medals for the top three ducks, as well as custom T-shirts, but no one will go home empty handed!

Prior to the race, there will be free games (duck pond, "chuck a duck") where everyone is a winner, and everyone gets a prize. There will be guided creek walks, and a visit from the Turtle Lady.

There will be free pizza courtesy of Milanese in Riverton, as well as other refreshments. We have Philly radio icon and recording artist Michael Tearson on board to emcee the event, and the incomparable and legendary Kenn Kweder (and the talented Jim Fogerty) will be performing live! There will also be free drawings for some great prizes throughout the afternoon - there are items ranging from water pistols and jump ropes to craft kits and bird feeders all the way up to the grand prize - 2 Phillies tickets for the game on May 5th!

While the Watchdogs of the Watersheds are selling the ducks for the race as a fundraiser, the main purpose of the day is to showcase the Pompeston Creek and all it has to offer.  This is a wonderful resource right in our own back yards, and WOW is ready to show everyone how to make the most of it.

Ducks will be available on the day of the race, $5 each or 6 for $25. You can also get your ducks ahead of time, and get details and info, by contacting me at 609-760-3223 or at watershedwatchdogs@gmail.com - I hope you'll come out and have some fun with us!