THE Ballina Rotary-on-Richmond Club is ramping up preparations for its annual Duck Fest, with a giant inflatable and festival-style entertainment set for this year’s event.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of bright yellow toy ducks will race down the Richmond River from Captain Cook Park on Sunday, March 8.<\/p>\n
There is also a corporate competition, which helps raise funds for local charities and community initiatives.<\/p>\n
The event will feature a best dressed duck competition where local businesses decorate a duck to be judged.<\/p>\n
The best dressed ducks are displayed in River Street in the lead-up to the event to help promote it.<\/p>\n
Event organiser Wayne Crawford said Duck Fest was all about bringing fun and community spirit to Ballina.<\/p>\n
The race was first held in 1992 with the rotary club running it for the third time since taking the reins in 2023.<\/p>\n
“We like to make Ballina a fun place, and this is something we took on a few years ago to keep that tradition going” he said.<\/p>\n
“We’re doing a lot to make sure the kids are entertained this year, and we encourage people to dress up like a duck if they can.<\/p>\n
“It’s a chance to enjoy the riverside setting while supporting local community initiatives.”<\/p>\n
People can buy tickets for the race at $5 for one duck or three ducks for $10.<\/p>\n
Each duck is numbered, and the owner of the winning duck will receive a $500 Harvey Norman voucher.<\/p>\n
The day will include equipment displays and demonstrations from emergency services and volunteer organisations, including Ballina Marine Rescue, Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue and Northern Rivers Animal Services.<\/p>\n
There will also be food stalls, games, live entertainment, music and other kids activities.<\/p>\n
Proceeds from the day will go toward ongoing support of rotary club projects which run across the region.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Ballina Rotary-on-Richmond Club is ramping up preparations for its annual Duck Fest, with a giant inflatable and festival-style entertainment set for this year’s event. Hundreds of bright yellow toy ducks will race down the Richmond River from Captain Cook Park on Sunday, March 8. There is also a corporate competition, which helps raise funds […]<\/p>\n