Thousands of ducks and dollars netted by Wellsburg event
JUST DUCKIES — Eugene McFatridge, a volunteer with the Wellsburg Kiwanis Duck Derby, scooped hundreds of ducks from the Ohio River after the first five were plucked from the water to determine the winners of five prizes. The event, which also included a 5K run and street fair, raised more than $30,000 for community projects pursued by the group. -- Warren Scott
JUST DUCKIES — Tony Viola, a volunteer with the Wellsburg Kiwanis Duck Derby, scooped hundreds of ducks from the Ohio River after the first five were plucked from the water to determine the winners of five prizes. The event, which also included a 5K run and street fair, raised more than $30,000 for community projects pursued by the group. -- Warren Scott
JUST DUCKIES — Eugene McFatridge, a volunteer with the Wellsburg Kiwanis Duck Derby, scooped hundreds of ducks from the Ohio River after the first five were plucked from the water to determine the winners of five prizes. The event, which also included a 5K run and street fair, raised more than $30,000 for community projects pursued by the group. -- Warren Scott
JUST DUCKIES — Tony Viola, a volunteer with the Wellsburg Kiwanis Duck Derby, scooped hundreds of ducks from the Ohio River after the first five were plucked from the water to determine the winners of five prizes. The event, which also included a 5K run and street fair, raised more than $30,000 for community projects pursued by the group. -- Warren Scott
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WELLSBURG -- Thousands of plastic ducks and thousands of dollars were netted, literally and figuratively, during the Wellsburg Kiwanis Club's third-annual Duck Derby Sunday.
Many gathered at the Wellsburg Wharf near Sixth Street to watch as more than 1,700 ducks were released into the Ohio River, then corralled between a chain of pool noodles so they could float toward the docks below.
Many area residents, organizations and businesses sponsored the ducks in hopes of winning one of five prizes, generating more than $30,000 for a community project to be determined.
In its previous two years, the Duck Derby raised $42,000 for playground equipment at local parks.
The event was coordinated by Eric Fithyan, the group's president, with help from fellow Kiwanians and many other volunteers.
It included a street fair, with games for children, food trucks and a classic cars on display and a 5K run-walk dubbed the Duck Dash.
The first male and female runners to finish the race were Kreg Robinson and Aubrey Duggan, while Christopher Fox and Sarah Donley were the first walkers to complete it.
Other winners were named in several age groups.
Top runners for age 24 and under were Kaleigh Cowden and Caden Knisley; ages 25-34, Rachel Keeney and Cody Javens; ages 35-44, Jenna Wilson and Daniel Conley; ages 45-54, Diane Raible and John Coen; ages 55-64, Mary Ann Edwards and Shawn Javens; and 65 or older, Barbara McFarland.
Top walkers for age 24 and under were Aubree Willilams; ages 25-34, Paige Hashman and Nick Beagle; age 34-44, Brittany Jones; ages 45-54, Michelle Watson and Jimmy Sperlazza; ages 55-64, Tina McCoy and Brian Atwell; and 65 or older, Suzanne Davidson and David Workman.
The $30 registration fee for the race included sponsorship for each runner or walker of one of the ducks released into the river.
Winners of the Duck Derby's five prizes were: Trinity Health System, $1,000; First National Bank, free Domino's Pizza for a year, courtesy of the Lacefields, local franchisees of the pizza chain; St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, $500; Jeanie Hale, Big Macs for a year courtesy of the Follansbee McDonald's; and Kylie Toner, $100.
The Rev. Justin Golna said the church will apply its winnings to a celebration of its 100th anniversary to be held June 30.
Fithyan noted the prize winners included two businesses that had been among many sponsoring the event.
There also was a Duck Derby contest of another type. Adults and youth were invited to don head coverings that invoked the spirit of the event.
Winners of that contest were: Paige Hashman, Jim Mounts, Jackson Temple, Alice Wojcik and Jake Wojcik.