The Great Pootatuck Duck Race & Festival returns on Saturday, June 13 from 10am-2:30pm at Heritage Park & Trail in Sandy Hook Village (Riverside at Glen Rd. & Church Hill Road). Presented by The Newtown Lions Club, the event will feature exhibitors, great food, live music, games, and—of course—thousands of bright yellow ducks ready to take their place in river racing history.
Here's a run-down of race-day festivities:
Business Duck Derby (1:30pm)
For the first time ever, there will be a corporate race before the main event. The inaugural Business Duck Derby will feature larger ducks sponsored by local businesses, each displaying a corporate logo. With oversize logo ducks, the Business Duck Derby will be just like NASCAR — but slower. And wetter. After each business duck has had its moment of glory in the Pootatuck, it will waddle back to the offices of its corporate sponsor, ready to brighten the office, boost team morale, or spark fierce internal debate over who gets to keep custody. Macaroni Kid Greater Danbury will have 2 ducks in the race this year! See if you can spot them!
 |
Ducklaration of Independence
Just before the main event, witness the commemoration of America's 250th birthday with a special a patriotic reading of the Ducklaration of Independence by none other than John Hanquack. After all, ducks have inalienable rights too!
The Main Event: The Duck Race (2:00pm)
Families and festival attendees will gather riverside to watch as thousands of ducks get dumped in the river for the race. Each duck represents a raffle ticket that gives an attendee a chance to win one of 20 prizes! You've got to be in the race to win! So before race-day, purchase your ducks/raffle tickets online so that on Race Day you can watch your duck float down the river! The first 20 ducks to reach the finish line will win fantastic prizes, including:
- First Prize: A luxury weekend for two at the Hopkins Inn in the heart of the Litchfield Hills
- An overnight getaway in Mystic
- Gift certificates to many of Newtown’s favorite restaurants and more!
You don’t need to be present to win — but the party will be better with you there! Prizes will be awarded at 2:30pm.
Every duck makes a difference. Your raffle ticket helps train guide dogs for the blind, supports programs for the blind or vision impaired, and funds annual vision screenings for more than 1,500 kids in Newtown.
1 duck = 1 raffle ticket ($10 each)
 |
About Newtown Lions Club
The Newtown Lions Club was chartered in 1949. The club carries out the Lions motto “We Serve” by supporting and participating in international and state programs and by contributing to the local community. Fund raising activities include our annual Classic Mustang Raffle, The Great Pootatuck Duck Race, and various community projects. All funds raised thru these efforts go towards our charitable efforts. The club and its members do not benefit from any funds generated from these activities. For more information visit https://newtownlions.org/.
