MOSES LAKE — The ducks will hit the water and race to the finish July 9 at the fifth annual Rubber Duck Regatta, beginning at 11 a.m. at Cascade Park. The ducks will be dumped overboard into Moses Lake about noon. The duck race is a fundraising benefit for the Moses Lake Boys and Girls Club.

The Rubber Duck Regatta is presented by Horizon Credit Union, and tickets are on sale at both Horizon locations, 1704 South Clover Dr. and at Safeway, 601 South Pioneer Way. Tickets also can be purchased at the Boys and Girls Club, 417 North Paxson Dr. or from Boys and Girls Club board members. Tickets will be on sale Saturday at the Moses Lake Farmers Market in McCosh Park.

The duck derby is part of a larger celebration for kids and families, said Rachelle Beresford, the club’s director of resource development.

The ducks are $5 each, five ducks for $20 and $25 ducks for $100. About 4,000 ducks will be available for purchase, Beresford said.

Each duck has a number, and the first duck to float across the finish line will win $1,500 for its owner. About 50 prizes will be awarded in total, Beresford said, additional cash prizes and fun stuff like tickets to a Seattle Mariners game. Duck owners need not be present to win.

The party will feature organizations and businesses sponsoring booths with kid-focused activities. “It’s a very kid-friendly, family-oriented event. A lot of different things going on.” Each booth will feature different games, crafts, art projects, she said. For adults, the booths will feature information on services and merchandise.

“This is a huge fundraiser,” Beresford said. Proceeds go to the club’s day-to-day operations, said director Brant Mayo in an earlier interview.

Boys and Girls Club participants pay a membership fee, but that doesn’t cover the cost of operation, Mayo said. “Events like this help us close the gaps,” he said.

Sponsors include Deb Graser – Allstate Insurance, Business Interiors and Equipment, Michaelle Boetger Graphic Designs and KDRM/KBSN. Prize sponsors are CC McGraw, LLC; Domino’s, Stacy Garcia (Avon), Jo Jo’s Java and Glass House Car and Dog Wash.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].