Press Release

CARTERSVILLE, GA-OCTOBER 5, 2015: Despite the less than ideal weather this year’s Advocates for Children Duck Derby had a great turnout and was a successful event. Duck sales exceeded the original goal of 20,000 ducks to be adopted by more than 3,000.

The festivities for the day began early with the 11th annual Duck Dash 5K & Fun Run. The rain dissipated and held off long enough for the dedicated runners to complete the 5K and for the little runners to make their mark with the Fun Run. The wet conditions certainly did not slow anyone down with a winning time of 17:36 by Jill Braley in the women’s division. Griffin Shaw crossed the finish line with a time of 21:39 leading the men’s division.

Members of the Cartersville Service League were wonderfully dedicated to the Duck Dash event and served as the majority of volunteers to come out early on a Saturday morning. As the festivities for the 5K and Fun Run wrapped up, everyone headed south to LakePoint for the 14th annual Duck Derby at Terminus Wake Park.

Food Trucks from near and far called the Terminus parking lot their home for the day. Visitors could dine on everything from Lobster quesadillas to Venezuelan empanadas. Upstairs at the Rally Volleyball Pavilion, ticket holders for the Beer and Wine sampling could satisfy their taste buds with over twenty-five beers and fifteen different varieties of wine.

The highlight of the day of course was the plucking of the winning ducks. The lucky duck of the day was adopted by Jessica Cass, granting her the grand prize of $10,000. Over twenty additional prizes were awarded including a Yeti cooler package and an Apple watch.

The South Central Middle School Drum Line gave an outstanding drum roll for the event as wake boarders went around one of the lakes at Terminus to pull the winning ducks. Almost 70% of the ducks in the water were adopted thanks to the hard work of local seniors competing for the 5th annual Funds for your Future $5,000 scholarship sponsored by Terry Reid Hyundai Buick GMC and Reid Ridge Lodge. Maddie Redmer will receive the $5,000 scholarship thanks to her hard work in selling over 6,400 ducks this year!

Advocates is extremely appreciative of everyone who bought ducks, encouraged others to buy, attended the event or supported it any way. We are particularly thankful for our event sponsors that made the event possible including Kennesaw Transportation and KTI Logistics who sponsored the $10,000 prize. To LakePoint, Terminus Wake Park and Rally Volleyball for being incredibly accommodating and supportive of the event and activities. Southern Devil Harley Davidson for the great concert and Terry Reid Hyundai Buick GMC and Reid Ridge Lodge for sponsorship of the Million Dollar Duck.

Each of us can make a huge difference in the lives of children through the giving of our time and support of events like Duck Derby.