Ron Gress won the top $10,000 prize and then donated all the money to the Clubs. Executive Director Steve Mickens said the club set a $159,000 goal this year, the same as last year, and expected to meet it to help serve an estimated 5,000 children in the Gainesville,Hall area. The Boys & Girls Clubs has served local youth for over 58 years.
Sixteen-thousand of those little yellow rubber ducks invaded the shore of Lake Lanier at Clarks Bridge Park.
Hundreds of Moms, Dads, and youngsters turned out for Duck Fest in the park complete with food, children's activities, inflatables, face painting, arts and crafts, animals, jewelry and vendors of all types. There was plenty of live entertainment including Dave Boyd and the Shade Tree Smugglers Band.
The grand finale was the duck race. Observers lined the shore to watch the ducks come pouring out of the barge closer to the bank this year because the current was pushing the ducks out into the lake.
The V.I.D. (Very Important Duck) Corporate Race started at 1:30 pm and Coca Cola was the winner this year. With Gress winning the big prize, Andy Bangs won the $1,000 Best Buy gift card, while John McKibben took third place with the Honeywell Prestige 2 Comfort System compliments of Duncan Heating & Air Services. Other winners got Lakeshore Mall shopping sprees, a Lake Lanier Islands Resort Getaway, Kindle Fire compliments of Sartain Law Offices, Chick-fil-A for a year for two and Gwinnett Braves tickets.
Kenny Imes adopted five ducks and anxiously waited to see if he had a winner make it to shore. The ducks were adopted with a $5 donation for a single duck, Quack Packs are $25 for 6 ducks and Grand Packs $100 for 25 ducks.
"You just keep your fingers crossed and hope yours comes up first, that's all you can do," Imes said.
Sixteen thousand of those little yellow rubber ducks invaded the shore of Lake Lanier at Clarks Bridge Park
Kenny Imes adopted five ducks and anxiously waited to see if he had a winner make it to shore
http://accesswdun.com/article/2012/5/248554