Today we were invited to the 21st annual Make a Wish Rubby Ducky Derby and MAW reunion. We went to Seven Peaks Water Park where they were holding the derby. Previously duckies had been purchased to help fund children's wishes for Make A Wish and today was the big race. First prize winners won a weekend trip, new car, and other great prizes that were donated for the winning duck owner.
Alex and Emily are ready to go have some fun in the sun.
There were thousands of ducks that were purchased. This is one of many "heats" that were held in the lazy river for the rubber ducks.
Subway donated lunch for all the families. There were also games, clowns, and jugglers. One game was a hula hoop contest. Michael is a great hula hooper.
Emily and Alex are playing in the wading pool.
Michael and Emily standing over one of the bridges overlooking the lazy river to watch for the winning rubber ducky.
The Grizzly's bear was there to help the duckies get a good start in the race.
It was a very moving experience to see all the duckies that were purchased to support Make A Wish. There were 5,000 duckies per heat.
Here they are nearing the finish line!
There was a special heat for the adult rubber duckies. The winner of this heat won a new car that was donated. These duckies came at a much higher price. And yet there are still quite a few ready to brave the race.
Michael and Emily are blowing their duck whistles to cheer on the duckies.
All in all we had an awesome day! The kids loved playing in the pools and sliding down the slides. Daddy and Michael braved some of the bigger slides while I stayed with Emily and Alex. We got to meet up with our friends the Sorensons who also have children with GSD, the only other ones we know of in the state. It was great to also see Annie, one of Emily's wish granters, who was volunteering for the day. Thank you Annie and Chris!
Thanks to all the volunteers and supporters of Make A Wish!! It continues to be a wonderful experience for us and we are very grateful for those who make Make a Wish possible.
THANK YOU!!!
A few years ago our family got to help number some of the ducks and get them organized. Our kids still talk about how much fun that was. We have never been to the derby though. What an awesome event and foundation!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is an amazing amoutn of duckies! Not to mention a great view of how much support there is to Make a Wish! Looks like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun day and what a lot of rubber ducks. So did you win the car? How fun to meet up with your friends - we love having friends who are going through the same things as we are.
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