Rubber Duck Race Planned for Hampton Bays

In an effort to raise cash to fund community projects and scholarships, the Hampton Bays Civic Association has created a new family-friendly event that is being modeled after a , held in the Village of Quogue last summer.

The new event, according to Jacquie Russo, committee chair, is being billed as Family Fun Day and Rubber Duckie Race.

Russo, a Hampton Bays resident for the past 21 years, says she believes if the new Hampton Bays event is anything like the Quogue Association's Duck race, it will be a success.

Unlike Quogue's event, the Hampton Bays Civic Association, is incorporating not just a rubber duckie race, but also a barbecue at the new  restaurant, which sits on the Shinnecock Canal. 

The owners of Cowfish, David and Rachel Hersh, offered to provide the venue for the event as a donation, said Russo, who added that children will get free hot dogs and hamburgers. And everyone will get free soft drinks.

There will also be a puppet show, chinese auction and a bouncy house, said Russo.

The cost to attend the BBQ is $5 a person and $10 per family.

The duck race will culminate the event, said Russo, who says that she has her fingers crossed that the tide and wind won't work against the race — The ducks will race from the canal bridge to Cowfish.

The ducks, which will be available sometime this summer, said Russo will be sold for $100 each. It is intended that area merchants will sponsor the ducks.

The civic also plans to sell t-shirts, specifically made for the event. The t-shirts, said Russo, will feature a design that is selected from a high school art poster contest.