Ducks Invade Collegeville for Inaugural Rubber Ducky Regatta

Ducks are invading Collegeville—fortunately not the kind that stop traffic, but the kind that can win participating residents and businesses prizes at the first-ever Collegeville Economic Development Corporation (CEDC)’s Rubber Ducky Regatta, to be held May 4 at the Perkiomen Bridge Hotel.

“It took a lot of planning, but we finally got our ducks in a row,” CEDC Executive Director Rachael Morrison said. “My hunch is that everyone will see the pure fun in this event and consider it to be just ducky.

"When the ducks go on sale, I predict that our local residents will flock to buy them and will find that they canard stop. Once they get hooked on the race, they won’t know waddle to do; they will realize that it is way more fun than it’s quacked up to be,” Morrison said.

Here’s how it works:

On May 4, ducks purchased by participating residents and businesses will be dropped into the Perkiomen Creek at the Perkiomen Creek Hotel to race to the finish line at the Perkiomen Creek Bridge (and be caught by a net), and owners of the first 30 ducks across the finish line will win prizes – first place is a $250 Visa Gift Card from Meridian Bank, and other prizes include gift cards to local spots such as Trappe Tavern, DaVinci’s, Whitby Jewelers, Cups N Cakes and much more. A full list of prizes is attached to this story.

Ducks can be purchased online for $5, or at any of the following businesses: TR Insurance, Main Street Nutrition, My Friend’s Tavern, DaVinci’s Pub, Avalanche Salon, Groomingdales, Computer Troublshooters, the Ursinus Book Store and the CDEC office, all on Main Street, or the Dance Depot on West Third Street.

Participants will be given a souvenir duck that is theirs to keep; all participants will have a corresponding number, represented on their duck in the water. The race will begin at the Perkiomen Bridge at 2:00 p.m., and winners will be announced at 2:30 p.m.

On race day, guests can enjoy refreshments from local restaurants, including Phamous Phil’s BBQ and pig roast, live music and dance, and plenty of water-fish-and duck-themed games, contests and prizes for children.

Additionally, the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy will be on hand to provide information on the creek, and the new owner of the Perkiomen Bridge Hotel, Tom Crawfod, will discuss his plan to bring the hotel back to life. The Collegeville Fire Company will also be on hand with emergency vehicles and boats.

In addition to race day festivities, CEDC will have an ongoing contest on its website and Facebook page in which individuals can win up to $100 for keeping track of which local business the ducks are visiting.

You may also see a little bit of friendly competition from local businesses, who are competing to sell the most ducks.