First Annual Ducky Derby is a Success!

On August 4th, 2012 the Franklin Young Professionals hosted the First Annual Macon Waves Ducky Derby.  The event was held at Big Bear Park on the Little Tennessee River Greenway.  In the morning FYP members helped out with the Big Sweep river clean up headed by Guy Gooder.  There were more than 1.1 tons of trash collected!  From noon to 4 pm we held a small festival at the park.  We had hotdogs, drinks, and snacks for sale, as well as music, games and family fun.  At 2:00 pm the Ducky Derby started.

Over 750 ducks were put into the river and floated down about one quarter of a mile to the finish.  For the past couple of months, members of FYP had been selling duck sponsorships all over town, and even out of state in some cases!  We had also been hard at work getting local businesses to help sponsor the event and donate prizes for the winners.  There were prizes awarded to the first 23 ducks to cross the finish line.  Prizes included a stay at Old Edwards Inn, a night stay at Fly Away Cabin in Pigeon Forge, numerous local restaurant and retail gift certificates, a piece of Barber Pottery, a 3 month membership at Franklin Fitness Center, Dnet Leadercast Tickets, a gift basket from Franklin Veterinary Hospital, Visa Gift Cards from local businesses, and rental packages from Outdoor 76.

Alauna Kiser receiving her Ducky Derby prize

We were able to raise over $4,000 during the event, through duck sales, food, and game tokens.  Proceeds from the event are going to be put towards the Franklin Young Professionals Scholarship Fund and a small portion back to the Greenway.  The first recipients of the FYP Scholarship will receive their awards in the spring of 2013.  The scholarship(s) will be awarded to a well-deserving high school senior who plans to go to college and then return to the Franklin area to work and support the local economy.  

Special thanks to Gooder Grafix for the awesome banners!

We are very thankful to all of the businesses who sponsored our event and to all of those who helped make it a success.  This event would not have been possible without all of the help.  FYP is very pleased and proud that our first big event was a success.  We are very excited about the future and are already preparing for next year!