(Duck mascot cruising in canoe | Photo courtesy of Mid Oregon Credit Union)
The 2023 Great Drake Park Duck Race raised over $96K for Central Oregon nonprofits CASA, Education Foundation for Bend-La Pine Schools, Furnish Hope, MountainStar Family Relief Nursery, Neighbor Impact, Saving Grace, and Sleep in Heavenly Peace. This year marks the 34th consecutive year of local Rotary clubs, businesses and community members raising much-needed funds for local nonprofit organizations. The Duck Race has raised over $2 million since it began in the late 1980s.
On Sunday, September 10, thousands of the colorful ducks were excited to hit the water and show off their racing skills. Spectators eagerly awaited and cheered at the Galveston Bridge “starting line” as 19,500 plastic ducks splashed into the river, competing to be first to cross the finish line.
In the end, Jessica Lerma’s bright pink duck outpaced the pack for first place earning her the Grand Prize of $5,000 cash!
The list of the 2023 Great Drake Park Duck winners include:
- $5,000 cash: Jessica Lerma
- 4 Adult ’23/24 season ski passes to Hoodoo: Trish Kuhns
- 4 rounds of golf at Widgi Creek: Gary Bell
- 2 8-punch pickleball cards: Carl Salvo
- Milwaukee 4-tool combo: Robert Williams
- Signature 1/2 carat diamond earrings: Amie Monroe
- 1/2-day Wanderlust tour for 10: Allan Bruckner
- Sonos ARC Soundbar: Kathy Janssen
- Sony LED TV with Smart Google TV: Richard Newman
- $500 in Bend Downtown bucks: Shari Howard
- $500 Bella Nuova Day Spa gift card: Cady Zivney
- $500 Les Schwab Tires gift card: Phyllis Minisce
- $500 Les Schwab Tires gift card: Andy Jordan
- $500 Sea Crab House gift card: Cameron Taylor
- Gozney Roccbox pizza oven: Marilyn Hayes
- $400 Newport Ave Market gift card: Ed Stephens
- Dinner for 2 at a nearby lake with Gary Lewis: Rob Schottfoefer
- $400 in Old Mill gift cards: Jo Powers
- Red Carpet Platinum Car Wash gift card $330: Ryan Kelly
- $250 Wild Rose Thai gift card: Daniel Howell
- $250 Zydeco gift card: Christine Reed
The Great Drake Park Duck Race is presented by local Rotary clubs and sponsored by Credit Unions Working Together (First Community, Mid Oregon, OnPoint, Oregon Community Credit Union and SELCO Credit Union).
2023 prize sponsors include Bella Nuova Day Spa, Cascade Insurance Group, Century Insurance, Lewis Outdoors, Hoodoo Ski Area, Hutch’s Bicycles, Johnson Brothers Appliance, Les Schwab, Loud & Clear A/V Systems, Miller Lumber, PacificSource Medicare, PayneWest Insurance, The Pennbrook Company, RBC Wealth Management, Saxon’s Fine Jewelers, Stereo Planet, and Zivney Financial Group. Media and other sponsors include Bend Radio Group (Mix 100.7, KSJJ 102.9, Power 94, 92.9FM), The Bulletin, Cascades Business News, Central Oregon Daily, Combined Communications (99.7 The Bull, KBND, 101.7, 107.7 Gold, 98.3 The Twins, 101.7), News Channel 21, and Source Weekly. In-kind support includes Carlson Sign, Humore.us, and Sign Pro.
