Adults and children alike gather to watch rubber ducks float to the finish line in the 2017 Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby, hosted Saturday by Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful at Big Spring Park in Athens. A full list of winners will be available in Wednesday's print edition of The News Courier.

The 18th annual Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby is only 10 days away, but there’s still time to adopt a duck or six for the big race.

This year could see 2,000 ducks ready to race at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, in Big Spring Park in Athens. The yellow rubber racers can be adopted for $5 each or in a group of six, known as a “Quack Pack,” for $25. The Quack Pack also comes with a coupon for 25 percent off an order at Papa Murphy’s pizza restaurant.

It’s not just individuals who can adopt, either. KALB Executive Coordinator Lynne Hart said American Leakless Co. bought 100 Quack Packs to distribute as a “thank you” to ALC employees.

“What a cool thing to do, just to say, ‘Hey, we appreciate you, we bought you a duck, good luck!'” Hart said.

The derby includes multiple heats, with the first few ducks in each heat going on to the championship race. The winner of the championship race takes home the grand prize of $1,000, also donated by ALC.

There are currently 24 other prizes available, including a golf package for four plus cart at Canebrake Club, a $250 gift card to Osborne’s Jewelers, a free one-night stay and gift certificate to Marriott Shoals Hotel and 360 Grille, cash prizes and gift cards. Free passes to Birmingham Zoo, U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Dollywood and Theatre Huntsville are also available.

“We started in 2001, and the prize list has done nothing but grow,” Hart said.

Dub’s Burgers is providing awards to those who adopted “lazy ducks,” or ducks who finish last.

Adopted ducks can also be named by the person who adopts them. Among the more creative entries this year are Wolfgang Duck and Quack Me Up, Hart said, though many choose to name the ducks after their kids or not at all.

Adoption is open until 1 p.m. on the day of the race. Those who wish to get in on the event can visit the KALB office at 125 East St. in Athens, www.kalbcares.com or the Tennessee Old Time Fiddlers Convention to sign up.

Adopters do not have to be present at the race to win.

Prize list

Here is a full list of the prizes available. This list is accurate as of 4 p.m. Tuesday but is subject to change:

• $1,000 cash grand prize from ALC

• Round of golf for four at Canebrake Club

• One-night stay at Marriott Shoals Hotel with $100 gift certificate for 360 Grille

• $250 Osborne’s Jewelers gift card

• $100 Hobbs Jewelers gift card

• $100 Publix gift card

• $100 cash from ALC

• $100 cash from ALC

• $100 cash from Limestone Drug

• $100 cash from Distinctive Landscaping Inc.

• $100 cash from Morell Engineering

• $100 cash from Brody Jackson, State Farm Insurance agent

• $100 gift certificate from Eastside Pharmacy

• $100 Visa gift card from Crews Inc.

• Gift basket from The SK Salon

• Three-month membership to The Wellness Center

• Four flex passes to Theatre Huntsville

• Birmingham Zoo family four-pack

• Two flex passes to Theatre Huntsville

• Two flex passes to Theatre Huntsville

• Two tickets to Dollywood

• Two passes to U.S. Space and Rocket Center

• Free ice cream each month for one year at MaggieMoo’s Ice Cream and Treatery

• $50 cash from ALC

• $50 Publix gift card from Limestone County Farmers Federation

• Last-place prizes from Dub’s Burgers

Duck decoration

If racing ducks isn’t your thing, KALB’s second annual duck decoration is open, too. There is no cost to pick up a blank wooden duck for decoration.

“We want people to put their money into decorating and whatever they attach to it,” Hart said.

The attachment she refers to is a prize to be given away with the decorated duck. Last year, a silent auction was held and prizes were awarded to the highest bidder. People could also pay $1 to vote for their favorite duck to win “People’s Choice.”

This year, each $1 vote earns a raffle ticket toward that duck’s prize. Hart said the fundraiser successfully raised about $2,000 for the organization. They are encouraging individuals, organizations and businesses to get involved.

Ducks should be on display by Oct. 15, though Hart encouraged decorators to have their ducks on display sooner rather than later.

“The longer they’re out there, the more raffle tickets they can sell,” she said. “The duck that raises the most money toward raffle tickets get the People’s Choice.”

There will also be a “Judge’s Choice” award up for grabs. For more information on the contest, visit www.kalbcares.com or call 256-233-8728.