New Record Set For The 2025 Great Duck Race
A Westport Fireman operates the high pressure hose to fill the flume upon which the thousands of ducks will travel as they compete for the $5,000.00 first prize and the remainder totaling another $5,000.00.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Each year the Westport Sunrise Rotary holds an event to raise much needed funds for a great many charitable and non profit organizations know as The Great Duck Race. This year "Sunny" the Duck's small army of dedicated volunteers worked tirelessly to bring this cherished Westport tradition to life once again at Jesup Green alongside the Saugatuck river.
The event is held each year with jUNe Day, Westport’s celebration of the United Nations which is also made possible by the volunteers who assist in the jUNe Day event. There was also support by the Westport Fire Department, the Westport Police Department and the Westport Library. This year, thanks to the generosity of Westport families, The Great Duck Race was able to generate more than $100,000 in proceeds from the record number of 3,233 tickets sold. Each ticket entitles the purchaser to their little rubber duck which races down the flume toward the finish line in a thrilling competition to see which ones will grab some of the $10,000 in prize money.
Hundreds of spectators began lining the “race course” well in advance of the big moment in order to get a great view as the ducks approach the finish line, with as many as 1,500 and 2,000 coming to enjoy the festivities.
The A.J. Penna front loader made it’s way to the start line to pour the thousands of ducks into the holding pond and the bucket is empty they are released on their way to “victory lane” as it were.
Once all the ducks are in their positions, the “starting gate” is raised and off they go!
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Under he watchful eye of Second Selectwoman Andrea Moore and the volunteers the ducks approach the entry port “finish line” as they jockey for position.
The first place finisher, the $5,000 lucky duckie is plucked from its position and handed to the volunteers who carefully place in numbered bags all the ducks in order of finish. In a testament to the generosity of our neighbors, as in years past, some of the winners donated all of their prize money back to the Sunrise Rotary in order to further help the charities they support.
Prize winners were: Sharon Rychilk, 1st place, $5,000, and Bruce Fritz, 2nd place, $1,000
Other winning ducks brought $500 in prize money to Ellen Swisher, Brian Stern, Angelo Termine , Gimbels Pon, Ian Gorman, Courtney Mullen, Tim Kelly and Sylvia Galambos.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
After the conclusion of the race, spectators enjoyed the other activities including the holding up the world photo op.
There was plenty of work to be done by the volunteers from last minute adjustments to the flume to handling the paperwork for ticket purchasers.
Many generous sponsors made this event possible and provided fun activities for families.
Gold Level Sponsors: Kohler, Hartford Healthcare, Rumi Mind Health, AJ Penna & Son, Gault Family Companies and The Clubhouse Westport offered activities like Duck Toss, Pin Making, Nerdy Derby, Sand Creations, as well as Health Screenings
Silver Level Sponsors: Webster Bank, Volvo, Landtech, New Perspective Cabinetry & Design, Nomade Restaurant
Bronze Level Sponsors: Cohen and Wolf, Tanner White Architects, FLB Law, JMKA Architects, Village Pediatrics, SIR Development, Leifer Properties, Bluewater Home Builders, MarshMcLennan Agency, Yvonne Sentura & Ron Henkoff, Jim Ezzes, Westport National Bank, Wells Fargo Advisors, Berchem Moses, Liz & Jim Wong, Ring’s End, Fairfield Country Day School, BOOM Photo Booth
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Sunrise Rotary will distribute funds from their 2025 events to charities in 2026. They recently distributed the 2024 funds (in May 2025) and the list of charities we have supported can be see here: https://westportsunriserotary.org/supported-charities.
The grant applications are available later in the year, with the deadline typically in late January. Their Charitable Giving Committee then works on the applications and the approval process takes a few months. So we have not earmarked any of the funds raised - each year there is a process of grant applications and awards. They also set aside a small percentage to partner with Rotary Clubs around the world to help in communities in other countries.
One of the ducks (above) jumped out to an early lead reportedly riding and tumbling in a wave. We cannot say if that duck managed to hold on to the lead.
For some of the children at the Great Duck Race their favorite part was at the conclusion when they were able to jump into the flume and help the volunteers gather up the thousands of ducks.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.