Pemberville’s history of the Portage River Duck Race is being re-enacted this year at the Pemberville Free Fair.
On May 21, 1989, a duck race fundraiser was held as part of a fun day for town residents hosted by the Pemberville Civic Club, which no longer exists. The main goal was to promote Harrison Park and the Portage River.
The main event of the day was the release of 500 inflatable ducks from the starting point one mile south of Harrison Park. The first duck to cross the finish line earned the winner $500, followed by $25 for the next 20 ducks.
The proceeds from the sale of tickets was used for community improvement projects.
The Pemberville Free Fair is hosting a re-enactment of this event first held 32 years ago. The duck race is scheduled for the Saturday of the fair, Aug. 21, at 5:30 p.m.
The plan is to number the plastic ducks, then throw them into the river at the bridge over the Portage River on Bridge Street. The Boy Scouts will be herding the ducks down the river to the bridge on Bierley Avenue.
The winner will be the person who has the number of the duck that crosses the finish line first. They will receive 50% of the proceeds from selling the ducks. The other 50% goes toward the expenses of putting on the Pemberville Free Fair.
Baker Insurance Agency is the sponsor of this event.
Duck numbers can be purchased at the fair in the tent next to the 50/50 raffle. There will be a pool with the ducks “swimming” around it and the buyer will get to pick the duck to enter in the race. If the purchaser is a child, they will receive a rubber duckie balloon that they can carry around the fairgrounds.
The Portage Valley 4-H club members and their parents will be selling the duck numbers. They can also be bought ahead of time on Paypal or Venmo.
