Rubber Duckie Race returns to Barbecue Festival

The Second Annual Rubber Duckie River Race will be held at the Blue Ridge Barbecue & Music Festival this Friday and Saturday. This exciting event, with a total purse of $1,500, pits hearty, yellow rubber ducks against the mighty Pacolet River in a race (with the help of volunteer Duck Herders) to the finish—somewhere near the banks of Hog Heaven—all in the name of good fun for a very worthy cause. This year’s proceeds help support Harmon Field Youth Sports. It is sponsored by Service Master of Polk/Spartanburg.

Brian Jones, AVP of Macon Bank—this year’s Duckie Chairman, said there are a few changes in the way the event will be staged this year.

"We plan to conduct one race in the late afternoon each day. Friday’s winner gets $350, second place gets $100 and third takes home $50. The top 25 finishers Friday are automatically entered in Saturday’s event. On Saturday, first place earns $750, second place gets $200 and third place gets $50."

Last year’s chairman, Bill Crowell, set the tone for the event, which is sure to become an annual favorite, by asking everyone he met, "What does the Q in BBQ stand for?" The answer, of course, is QUACK!

So the two events are welded, and one compliments the other—the Barbecue Festival and the Duckie Race! QUACK! QUACK!

Tickets for Duckies are $5.00 each, or you can purchase a happy family of 5 for $20. They are available at Macon Bank in Columbus and at the Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce on Lynn Road until Friday. They will be available at the Festival on both Friday and Saturday.

The Blue Ridge Barbecue & Music Festival also includes a fantastic lineup of music, a Kids Fun Park with carnival rides and games and, of course, outstanding barbecue with all the trimmings. Gates open at 3 pm on Friday and at 10 am on Saturday, closing at 11 pm both nights. Admission is $7.00 for adults. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. Admission includes shuttle parking and all live entertainment. On Friday, Seniors receive a two-for-the-price-of-one discount all day, and kids can have unlimited rides for $10.00 from 3 pm until 7 pm.

The Blue Ridge Barbecue & Music Festival is conducted annually under the auspices of the Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce. Some of the proceeds from the Festival help support Chamber operations and any additional funds go to the Chamber Foundation to be returned to the community through grants to a variety of programs and projects throughout the county.