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May 18 New Story
9th Annual Duck Race Features Chevy S-10 from Schaaf Auto
 ST. MARYS - A four-door, four-wheel-drive Chevy S10 Blazer (CLICK FOR PHOTO) sponsored by Larry Schaaf Auto Sales, complete with a customized package donated by B & K Body Shop of St. Marys is the grand prize for the ninth annual K.C. Geiger Park Improvement Committee Duck Race.
Held each year during the St. Marys SummerFest, the duck race has raised over $50,000 for the K.C. Geiger Park Improvement Fund. This fund provides for the annual maintenance of the baseball and softball diamonds and soccer field, and contributes to occasional permanent improvements to the Park (such as dugouts). The Fund is overseen by the St. Marys Community Foundation, a local non-profit organization designed to administer tax-deductible and charitable donations for the benefit of St. Marians.
The K.C. Geiger Park Improvement Committee, now in its tenth year, is nearing its charter goal of a $100,000 perpetual maintenance fund. “We are excited about the prospect of reaching our goal,” Committee El Presidente’ Rees McKee gushed. “It’s been a long climb, since along the way we also funded routine maintenance and donated to park projects.” The Committee gave $5,000 to the new dugout project on diamonds 9 and 10 just this spring.
Besides the Grand Prize, many more cash and merchandise prizes will be offered at the Race. Last year 80 prizes worth more than $10,000 were awarded to lucky Duck Race ticket holders.
“The strength of the Duck Race’s appeal to ticket buyers has always been in two areas,” said Duck Race Committee member Chris Botkin. “The money goes to a good cause, and the odds of winning a prize are relatively high because we receive so many donations.”
The Committee is currently soliciting prize donations and will publish updates to the list as the race nears. A complete prize list and other race information is available on the internet at http:/ridertown.com.
The race will begin on the St. Marys River in Memorial Park at 6 p.m. Aug. 12.
Returning for its third running is the Duck Race Celebrity Regatta, which will be held before the Duck Race beginning at 5 p.m. in Memorial Park. Twelve local celebrities will be racing down the river on inner tubes for the coveted title of “Anas Curriculum Deus.”
“It’s really just another fun event during SummerFest,” Committee member Dave Stilwell said. “You will be able to wager $1 on you favorite celebrity, and a name will be drawn from those who bet on the winning celebrity for a $100 prize. Hopefully, we can promote the Duck Race, raise a few extra dollars and have a lot of fun at the same time.”
There will be two heats of six and then a “Finals.” A complete list of celebrity participants and other details will be posted on ridertown.com as the list is completed.
Duck tickets for this year’s race are $5 for the ninth consecutive year, and are currently on sale at Larry Schaaf Auto Sales, Inc on Celina Road and at other locations.
If you are interested in contributing a prize for the race, or purchasing or selling tickets, contact any of the committee members: Rees McKee; Chris Botkin or Dave Stilwell.
First Place wins this four-wheel-drive Chevy S-10, with the custom package donated by B&K Body Shop, represented by Bill Kruse (left). Larry Schaaf (center) sponsors the Duck Race Grand Prize annually. The Duck Race is a fund-raising activity of the K.C. Geiger Park Improvement Committee, represented by Rees McKee (right).
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