Four ducks take a gander at a wooden duck on the edge of the duck pond in Athens. Businesses and organizations can decorate wooden ducks like the one above for community members to vote on as part of a fundraiser benefiting Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful.

Some ducks are yellow, while others are white or brown with a green head or even spotted.

A new fundraiser benefiting Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful allows members of the community to use their imagination to create ducks of any color. Even better, the community can vote on their favorite entries.

As part of the contest, KALB will provide a wooden duck to any business or organization in Limestone County wanting to participate. Once decorated, they may then be displayed at the business or organization from Sept. 1 through the first week of October.

The community will be asked to vote for their favorite duck. A $1 donation to KALB equals one vote, and voting jars will be next to each duck. Ducks will be displayed at the Old Time Fiddlers Convention in October, where additional votes will be collected. The decorators of the winning duck will receive a ribbon. The winning duck will be determined by Oct. 12.

The ducks will also be entered into a silent auction with proceeds benefiting KALB.

Lynne Hart, executive coordinator of KALB, said the inaugural contest fits thematically with two other fundraisers, the Duck and Run 5K and Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby. She’s seen other organizations hold similar contests and thought it would be fun to try.

She explained such fundraisers are necessary because the organization maintains an ambitious community agenda. She said the $1 votes represent a small way the community can help the beautification organization.

“Everybody benefits from what we do,” Hart said.

Contest rules

Those interested in participating are urged to make their ducks whimsical, beautiful, unique and fun. They can be painted and have embellishments, provided the finished ducks are no larger than 18 inches squared. There is no fee to participate.

“Ducks can be decorated to reflect the business or organization or any theme that makes them happy,” Hart said.

For more information, contact KALB at KALBCares@gmail.com, call 256-233-8000 or visit their website at www.KALBCares.com and click the “Events” tab.