Relay for Life Planning Charity 'Duck Derby'

Assemble your teams and get all of your ducks in a row, because on Sunday, Aug. 7, Relay for Life of Saucon Valley will be sponsoring a Charity Duck Derby at in Hellertown.

The goal of the fundraiser--which is modeled after a successful Duck Derby sponsored by Relay for Life in Allentown last year--is to help the local cancer charity raise enough money to meet its annual goal.

Co-chair of Carol Schneider said she hopes "people will see what a great family event this could be... walking around our local and supporting a great cause, while gaining awareness for the dreadful disease."

There are a number of ways for teams and individuals to get involved in the Duck Derby.

Teams can rent rubber duckies for $5 each or they can rent a "six quack" special for $20. The six quack special is available for a limited time only, however, so you will want to get your ducks rented soon. After the first 1,000 are reserved, the price of the six quack will increase to $25.

If interested teams are unable to line up their rubber ducks before the day of the event, rentals will be available that day until 11am, although teams are strongly encouraged to try to make arrangements beforehand.

Tickets will be sold with numbers corresponding to each rented rubber duck, to be able to determine winners.

Saucon Valley Relay for Life is also seeking sponsorships for the Duck Derby, and there are a variety of sponsorship levels for anyone wanting to contribute in this way. Listed below are the levels of sponsorship:

Golden Duck Sponsor - $1,000
Big Duck Sponsor - $500
Fun Duck Sponsor - $250
Darling Duck Sponsor - $100
Duckling Sponsor - $50

More details regarding sponsoring a duck can be found on the Saucon Valley Relay for Life website, and proposal packets are also available.

On the day of the event, spectators, contributors, family and friends will gather on the banks of the Saucon Creek next to the Saucon Valley Farmers' Market to watch as hundreds and possibly thousands of rubber ducks are dropped into the water to race toward the finish line.

A number of "Creek Crew" volunteers will be waiting with bated breath to announce the winners and collect the rubber ducks as they cross the finish line. The renters of the first 20 ducks to cross the finish line will receive prizes donated by area businesses and contributors to the American Cancer Society.

Along with the excitement of the race, some Saucon Valley Relay teams will also have tents set up and will be selling food and beverages, with all profits benefiting Relay.

Committee members are also interested in having a live band perform for entertainment the day of the event. If any band would like to donate their time and musical talents to this cause, they may contact Carol Schneider at 610-838-1354 or via email at cas68@rcn.com.

According to Schneider, Saucon Valley Relay for Life is currently about $7,000 short of its 2011 monetary goal, which must be met by Aug. 31.

With the hopes that the duck derby will help them surpass this goal, interested renters are encouraged to contact Schneider for all the duck details.