GUERNSEY – Duck Daze began with a 5K race that is traditionally the warm-up race to the famous Duck Daze duck race where 1200 ducks are dumped into the North Platte River
The annual Guernsey Duck Daze celebration for 2022 went forth on the heels of the COVID pandemic and the rumors of monkeypox fears and the unmasked ducks were no worse for the wear as they made the 20 minute swim from the west bridge to the south bridge on the Platte River.
Duck Daze began at dawn as volunteers began to prepare Davis Park for the vendors and set forth cones and signs for the annual Duck Dash 5K that took off from Heimbuck Park and returned to the same spot.
Registration for the 5K began at 7 a.m. and at 8 a.m. a field of runners were at the starting line. Guernsey Economic and Tourism Development president, Craig Frederick said, “The day went very well. It takes a lot of volunteers above and beyond Guernsey Economic Development members. Our biggest need is retrieving the ducks from the water and this year we had a number of people help. Special thanks to the Guernsey PD for traffic control for the 5k and the Duck Race. Also special thanks to the 90th GCTS Air Force Unit for their assistance with the 5k setup and retrieving ducks. We want to thank Faith Fellowship for handling the kids activities in the park.
The winners in each category for the men were:
First Overall - Joe Wilson – 17:54
Second Overall – Major Sizemore
Third – Overall - Delbert Butcher
First Female - Olivia Edmunds
Youngest Racer – Samantha Holt
Oldest Racer – Dianne Sisson
After the race, excitement was high at Guernsey Landing where over 200 people had gathered to watch the much-anticipated duck drop. Led by Frederick who was joined by Chuck Frederick, Doug Frederick and Dan Sisson, the GEDC kept the time and at exactly 10:30 a.m. 1200 ducks were dropped from the west bridge over the Platte River where they plopped down in a large raft of ducks.
As the current began to swirl, the duck conglomeration began to spread out and the race was on to the south bridge where the rubber ducks would be recovered by kayakers and rafters in the water designated for duck recovery.
People had been purchasing ducks for weeks, purchasing what has been come to be known as a “quack-pack” which was a package of 5 ducks.
When it was all said and done, the 1200 rubber duckies passed under the south bridge in what took approximately 20 minutes and may of the spectators who watched the dump jumped into vehicles and headed to the south bridge which was the finish line.
The first prize winner was Samone Sidel who won the big prize of $750. Coming in second was Laura Berfeind’s duck which earned her $500. The third-place duck was owned by Randy Byers who was awarded the prize of $250. Fourth and fifth place ducks owned by Ashely Henry and Kate Steinbock earned each of the men $100 apiece.
Duck Daze had over 20 vendors for the farmers market which ran from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and in the midst of that were children’s games, a corn hole tournament and a horse shoe tournament. Music was provided by Justin Herdt of DJ Magik.
Winners of the cornhole tournament were:
First place: Mike and David King
Second place: Chuck and Craig Frederick
Third place: Bob Day and Lisa Glover
