Rubber ducks fall into the Soque River at last year’s Mountain Laurel Festival.
Volunteers for Literacy (VFL) expects to race up to 2,200 rubber ducks in the Soque River on Saturday, May 21, at the 60th Annual Mountain Laurel Day. Now in its 11th year, the VFL Rubber Duck Race has become as much a tradition as has the Lion’s Club Mountain Laurel Day Parade that kicks off the day. Ducks will go into the river at 3:45 p.m. from the Homer Sutton Bridge on Highway 197.
Numbers on tickets that can be purchased for $5 each or 5 for $20 correspond to numbers on duck that will go into the Soque River and “race” to the finish line. There, volunteers are ready to grab the first three ducks that float across first. The first-place duck wins $1,000 for its “owner;” the second- place duck brings in $500; and third wins $250. Winners will be announced from the stage in Pitts Park at 4 p.m.
“As the VFL Rubber Duck race enters its second decade, we are proud to be an event that caps off the day for Clarkesville’s Mountain Laurel Festival, which has entertained so many people for sixty years,” said Johnny Bailey, who is in his 11th year of serving as chair of the duck race.
Proceeds from the sale of tickets and duck race sponsorships will help VFL carry out programs that improve literacy in Habersham County. Programs include The Dictionary Project, in which VFL gives more than 500 dictionaries to third graders in Habersham County Schools (HCS) each year. VFL sponsors the Scripps Spelling Bee in which as many as 1,600 students in grades 4-8 compete to become the county champion speller. VFL also teaches English to non-speakers of English and for the past decade and a half has provided childcare and transportation for students, two barriers that deter immigrants from learning English.
VFL also maintains the VFL Book Bank which contains thousands of books that are given to underserved children throughout the year.
Working with North Georgia Technical College to help students learn about their adult education GED and HiSet programs and offering help with cost of testing also is a priority for VFL.
Finally, VFL partnered with HCS, Clarkesville and Cornelia Libraries and the Piedmont University Education Department to bring One Book Habersham to residents prior to COVID 19. Plans are to continue the three-month long event in 2023.
“As we know, the ability to speak, read, and write is essential,” said Dr. Don Gnecco, VFL board president. “Volunteers for Literacy is continually striving to reach our goal of 100% literacy in Habersham County so that everyone can successfully participate in and contribute to our community. It takes all of us, together.”
Judging for the 5th Annual Dec-A-Duck Contest also will be held on Mountain Laurel Day at 1 p.m. All duck race sponsors and in-kind sponsors are invited to decorate a large yellow duck provided by VFL. Voting for People’s Choice is held on the VFL Facebook page and on Mountain Laurel Day at the VFL booth. Other categories are Best All Around Duck, Most Creative Duck and Best Children’s Book/Fairy Tale-Themed Duck, Best Rookie Duck and Best Business Themed Duck. To enter the Dec-a-Duck contest email VFL at literacy1@windstream.net. May 1 is the deadline to enter.
For more information on the race, purchasing tickets or entering the Dec-A-Duck contest, go to www.vflhabersham.com, email literacy1@windstream.net or call 706-949-3157. Tickets may be purchased at the VFL website, on Facebook and from any VFL board member. Tickets also can be purchased in Clarkesville at Clarkesville Library, at A to Zinc Health Store and Smoothie Bar, at Elizabeth & Company, A Garden for Wellness and in Cornelia at Cornelia Library.