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View photo/Mike SweeneySpectators line the channel of HARP as some of 10,000 rubber ducks entered in May 16's Duck Stampede race mosey toward the finish line. The event was part of the inaugural Wild Wild West Fest held this week in Pueblo. |
Duck race attracts field of 10,000
John Elway, SpongeBob and ducks steal the show at Wild Wild West Fest.
The Pueblo West View
Nearly 10,000 ducks floated down the Riverwalk during the Duck Stampede at the PBR's Wild West Fest on May 16.
The event, sponsored by Pioneer Sand Co., benefited the Demmler Foundation, which provides scholarships to area students, as well as help to purchase dictionaries for third-grade students in Pueblo West.
The ducks were dropped into the water from a metal container suspended about 30-feet in the air by a crane. The ducks entered the water at the Victoria Street bridge and slowly floated to the finish line near the Xcel Amphitheater. Although the race was only about one block long, it took nearly 30 minutes to finish. But that didn't bother the hundreds of folks that lined the banks of the Riverwalk to cheer for the rubber birds. The Amella family of Pueblo - Gary, Stephanie and their 22-month-old son, Gavin - cheered on the ducks, four of which they bought for the race.
"The exciting part was dropping the ducks from the crane and then seeing 10,000 ducks float past," said Gary Amella. "Our son loves rubber ducks. He has three at home."
According to race organizers, winners of the race were Tracy Rotolo, first place for $5,000; Barbara Niichel claimed $3,000 for second place and Lisa Rea's duck placed third, earning $2,000.
The duck race also gave entrants a chance to win $1 million and a new GMC Sierra, but race organizers said nobody won those prizes.
The Downtown area remained busy Saturday night as attention turned to the State Fair Events Center for the bull riding competition.
The Wild Wild West Fest is designed to raise funds for community nonprofits, but it's also billed as one of the PBR's top tour stops.
Bull-riding will continue at the Fairgrounds today, the final day of the festival. More community activities and entertainment are planned along Union Avenue.
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