LUDLOW, Vt. – The Ludlow Rotary Club is celebrating another successful Ralph Hogancamp Memorial Duck Race, with the 27th annual event bringing plenty of sunshine and smiles, and a record number of racing duckies to the water.
A record-breaking 1,000 little yellow duckies took to the water for this year’s race, creating a spectacular sight as they floated, bobbed, and battled their way toward the finish line. The weather couldn’t have been better, with blue skies overhead and water at the perfect temperature and pace for a day of duck racing.
The race officially began at noon, and it didn’t take long for one speedy little duck to make its move. The first duck crossed the finish line at 12:25 p.m., while the final determined “Last Little Duckie” continued its journey until 1:25 p.m., proving that, when it comes to the duck race, it’s not how fast you start, but how much you enjoy the ride.
Plymouth Fire & EMS was this year’s beneficiary of the event, and was a big part of the event’s success. The Ludlow Rotary Club is proud to support local organizations that make a difference in our communities, and the duck race continues to be a fun and meaningful way to raise funds while bringing people together.
This year’s Corporate Business Duck Winner was Blue Duck Deli. Apparently, Blue Duck Deli decided that if you’re going to be in the duck business, you might as well be in the winning duck business. With 1,000 duckies in the water, their little corporate competitor managed to rise above the flock and paddle its way to victory. We suspect there may have been some secret duck sauce involved.
The Ludlow Rotary Club extends a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who sponsored a duck, adopted a duck, volunteered, cheered from the sidelines, supported Plymouth Fire & EMS, and helped make the 27th annual Ralph Hogancamp Memorial Duck Race such a tremendous success.
From the fastest duck in the flock to the little duck that took its sweet time getting there, the day was a wonderful reminder of what happens when a community comes together for a great cause.
Congratulations to all the winners, and to all 1,000 duckies who took the plunge. The winners were: first place, Katherine Burr, of West Windsor, Vt.; second place, Lore Berty, of Milford, Conn.; third place, Dianne Stone, of Rockaway, N.J.; and Last Little Duckie, Holli Garrett, of Essex, Vt.
This year, the Ludlow Rotary Club is celebrating its 100th anniversary, so each month the club is planning different events. Last month, it financially supported at least 100 of the individual fireworks displayed on the Fourth of July; for this year’s duck race, the club decided to randomize the names of all who purchased ducks, and agreed to gift $100 to the owner of the 100th duck in the Race, no matter where it placed. Ludlow Rotary awarded $100 to duck No. 100, held by Kathy McMahon, of Ludlow. Next month, the club will be shoveling more than 100 shovels of new playground mulch at the Ludlow Elementary School playground on behalf of the Ludlow Elementary PTG; the expense was funded by the club and a Rotary District Grant. In October, the club will be planting 100 purple crocus bulbs in each of the four towns in its service area: Ludlow, Cavendish, Mount Holly, and Plymouth. More 100 deeds will be following each month until the end of June 2027.
The Ludlow Rotary Club looks forward to seeing everyone again for next year’s duck race. After all, once you’ve been in the duck race, you’re officially part of the flock.
Visit www.ludlowrotary.com and follow the Ludlow Rotary Club on Facebook for other club news.