$5,000 top prize at annual duck race

Whitewater Willie, the official mascot of the Gold Country Duck Race, will be on hand to greet visitors again this year.

As many as 10,000 toy ducks will touch down in Deer Creek on Sunday, Sept. 9, as the 49er Breakfast Rotary Club of Nevada City hosts the 21st Annual Gold Country Duck Race.

Rotarians and other community groups are now distributing the final $5 entry tickets that allow holders to compete for a $5,000 grand prize, a $1,000 second prize and $500 third prize. Many other prizes also will be awarded.

The duck race will be held on the rapids of Deer Creek at the foot of Broad Street, with activities centered in the ERA Cornerstone Realty parking lot. Admission is free.

The carnival, with fun and games for kids and DucKeno for adults, opens at 1 p.m. Duck racing begins at 2:30 p.m. and follows the conclusion of Nevada City’s 46th Annual Constitution Day Parade.

The duck race is 49er Rotary’s largest annual fundraiser and benefits many community groups. This year’s beneficiaries include Nevada City schools, Hope House, the Falls Prevention Coalition, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Nevada Union High School Band.

For details, visit www. 49erRotary.org.