They’re cute, bright yellow and they don a mean pair of sunglasses. On August 11^th thousands of these bright little beings will invade Rio Grand Park in Aspen, Colorado. Lest this seem like some kind of alien invasion – it isn’t. It is simply The Ducky Derby, held every August and hosted by the Aspen Rotary Club in order to raise money for the youth within Pitkin County.

These adorable ducks are looking for a home, or at least an adoptive family for the day. Throughout the months of July and August the Aspen Rotary is reaching out to members within the community to encourage them to call one or two or a hundred duckies their own by pledging ten dollars per duck to support this effort. Individuals can adopt ducks, or join a Ducky Team to join forces with friends or a local group or business. For every 3,333 ducks adopted, the Rotary will assign one duck the title of Special Lucky Duck. This duck, and its adopted-parent will win $1 million dollars if it crosses the finish line very first. If the Lucky Duck can’t pull in the win, the grand prize will still be an impressive $10,000 for one other very lucky duck.

For the past twenty years the Rotary Club of Aspen has taken this plethora of ducks to Rio Grande Park in an all-day event for families. The silent auction will begin at 10:30a.m. along with youth games and booths, continuing throughout the day. Live music will also play at the Festival Stage. A barbeque lunch will be served around 11:30 a.m. Families and friends are invited to relax, enjoy great music and fantastic food. The Ducky Launch will get underway at 2:12p.m. at the No Problem Bridge. While the ducks race downstream, the fun, music and activities will continue. The ducks will cross the finish line around three o’clock below Mill Street Bridge. The winner, and his/her adoptive parents will receive their duck, and its award at the Award Ceremony at 4p.m.

The Ducky Derby is just one of the many fundraisers the Aspen Rotary puts on every year to benefit the youth within Pitkin County as well as the world. On an international scale, the Rotary is focusing on reducing infant mortality rates in Egypt and helping Japan to rebuild. As the Rotary Club of Aspen looks forward into 2012 and 2013 their priorities within Pitkin County are education, health and human services, community building and sports and recreation. They offer financial support through their local office for those organizations within the community that provide these services to the youth and particularly to youth in need.

This exciting event should not be missed, the stream of bright yellow against the beautiful Aspen backdrop is fun, whimsical and an event the entire family will love. The first Ducky Day, back in 1992, set a precedence for excellence, 100% of all proceeds earned go right back to the Roaring Fork River Valley and out into the greater world.

Once you’ve adopted a duck, find a beautiful home for you and your duck within the Aspen/Snowmass community. Click here to see homes, condos and residences that offer the perfect home for all the members of your family today!