We’re so excited to announce that our Annual Duck Race this year will feature as a part of Canterbury’s Great Stour Riverfest, a series of exciting and fun events featuring the river, organised by Canterbury City Council and the local community.
This year will be the Great Stour Riverfest’s second year, and promises to be a lively series of events with something to interest the whole family. The Riverfest itself will take place from 14th – 22nd September 2024. Our Duck Race will be held on the final day on Sunday 22nd September, with the race starting at 1pm at Westgate Gardens (near Westgate Towers) [Don’t forget to put a note in your diaries and calendars.]
Those of you who’ve attended our Duck Race before will know it’s a popular, family-friendly event – which is lots of fun and has plenty of puns. It has now been running for over 20 years and is FREE to attend.
As usual, thousands of yellow ducks will be launched into the River Stour from the bridge by Toddlers Cove and will “swim” towards the entrance to Westgate Gardens. We hope that the Lord Mayor of Canterbury will attend the launch.
Volunteers will be in the water to ensure none of the ducks wander off and that all ducks are collected back after the event. Members from all three Rotary Clubs in Canterbury (ours, Forest of Blean and Canterbury Sunrise) will be helping to man the event. The Forest of Blean Club also hope to have a ‘sideshow’ to raise some funds for their own causes.
Individuals can sponsor ducks for the Duck Race for £1 each in the build-up to the race (details below). The sponsor of the winning duck (first under the bridge) will get £250, the second place £100, third place £50. Winner of the fourth place will win a voucher.
The Race is our biggest and most important fundraiser – all profits from the Race will go to the many local and international causes we support.
We look forward to seeing you at our sponsorship stalls:
- Wed 4th September: Sponsorship stall at Whitefriars, Canterbury
- Sat 7th September: Sponsorship stall at Whitefriars, Canterbury
- Sat 14th September Sponsorship stall at Whitefriars, Canterbury & at the launch of the Riverfest in Westgate Gardens
- Sat 21st September: Sponsorship stall at Whitefriars, Canterbury
- Sun 22nd September: Duck sponsorship before the Race in Westgate Gardens (limited number of ducks. Rather than risk disappointment, please pop by our stall on one of the above dates).
Look out for our Facebook event for the Duck Race soon – and please share news of the Race with all your friends and family. We look forward to seeing you there!
Note: The time given is for the start of the race, weather conditions and any other restrictions allowing. **Please arrive early, especially if you want to sponsor a duck on the day.**
You can find out more about the Great Stour Riverfest and other events here. Please contact Riverfest organisers if you have queries relating to other events.
Picture: Ducks “swimming” along the Stour during the Duck Race. Picture credit: Rotary Club of Canterbury.
