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Annual Tarrytown Rubber Duck Derby Takes Place Saturday

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. – Thousands of yellow rubber ducks will participate in an annual Tarrytown tradition this weekend.

The 2012 Rubber Duck Derby featured more than 2,000 ducks.

The 2012 Rubber Duck Derby featured more than 2,000 ducks.

Photo Credit: Meredith Shamburger

The Rotary Club of the Tarrytowns and the Tarrytown YMCA will host the annual Rubber Duck Derby and Healthy Kids Day on Saturday at Patriots Park, releasing more than 2,000 bath toys into Andre Brook to see which one will make it to the finish line first.

The daylong event begins at 11 a.m. and lasts until 3 p.m., with races beginning at noon and the final race taking place at 2:15 p.m. Information on adopting ducks is on the Rotary Club's website.

The annual event was an idea from the late Fire Chief Joey McCarthy. Residents adopt rubber ducks before they are released into the water, flushed downstream and caught by Tarrytown Superintendent Howard Smith. Five heats lead up to the championship round. Firefighters help keep the water pumping.

Saturday's grand prize is $1,500, with the second-place winner receiving an overnight stay at the DoubleTree Hotel and dinner at Red Hat on the River and the third-place winner receiving $350 at Baby Chic Boutique. Winners of each heat receive lunch for two at the Sheraton Tarrytown.

The Tarrytown YMCA hosts several children's activities, games, music, food and carnival rides for kids while the duck derby takes place.

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