The race is on to discover who’s at the top of the pecking order at the Rotary Club of Wanaka’s annual duck race this Saturday (November 9).

The event begins at 10am when 1,500 rubber ducks will drop into Bullock Creek for the race to the finish line at the Dinosaur Park.

From there they will be closely followed and cheered on - especially by family groups - as they ‘wing’ their way on a down-river adventure.

The pluckiest ducks will take home cash prizes.  

This annual event has raised more than $15,000 for the Rotary Club of Wānaka in previous years and president Alan Richardson said it is on track to do the same this year.

“We’ve been selling duck tickets outside Mitre 10 MEGA and New World Three Parks for the past six weeks,” he said.

Alan said that when a person buys a ticket it is represented by a ‘small’ racing duck.

“The first ducks across the finish line are the winning tickets,” he said.

“We also have a business category where businesses purchase an executive duck for $100.

“A feature of the event is the dressing up of the executive ducks with the best dressed winning bragging rights for the next 12 months.”

Alan said the executive ducks will be on display at New World Three Parks on Friday (November 8) at 5pm and at the Dinosaur Park on the day of the race.

Funds raised will go to the Rotary Club of Wānaka which will then be allocated to needy and worthwhile causes in the community.

Subject to availability, tickets will be sold at the Dinosaur Park on race day (Saturday November 9) from 8.30am. Tickets are five dollars for small ducks.

The race begins in Bullock Creek on the north side of Brownston Street (opposite the food truck park) at 10am.

PHOTO: Wānaka App