Big Brothers Big Sisters in Portage la Prairie has scheduled its next fundraising event...a duck race! Executive Director Dawn Froese says on Friday, July 1st, a rubber duck race will be held in the laze river at Splash Island. She says they were looking for another way to raise money for kids in Portage and the surrounding communities.

"Big Brothers Big Sisters was looking for a fundraiser to compliment our 'Bowl for Kids' program, and we came across the 'Big Duck Race'. It's going to be happening July 1st at Splash Island from 6:15-7p.m. and people are really excited! It's something new, it's something fresh, and I think it's going to be a lot of fun."

Froese says they've had the idea for a number of years now, and decided this year was the perfect time to have the fundraiser. She explains how the race will work.

"We're going to put the ducks in the water and let them float down the lazy river, and the first 3 ducks through are the winners. If people want to buy tickets, they're $5 each or 3 for $10. Each ticket has a number and that number will be on a corresponding duck, so you don't have to be there to win, we will contact you if your duck crosses the finish line."

She says a lot of work has been put into planning the event.

"We've done a fair bit of planning actually. We had to get a lottery license, but before that we have to have all these other pieces in place. We've actually spent late winter and early spring getting all of those pieces in place and finding where we can get some ducks. We're going to have 5,000 ducks and they'll all be in my office soon, (laughs) right now there's a few thousand in there right now so it's an interesting place."

Froese says the funds will go toward mentoring kids in Portage and the surrounding communities. Tickets can be purchased at the Big Brothers Big Sisters office, Portage Co-op, the PCU Centre, and Boston Pizza. Froese would also like to thank Portage Co-op for sponsoring the event.

Here's a list of prizes for the race.

Prizes:

1st: Air Craft flight from K.F. Aero (Southport) & $500 Gift Card from Portage Co-Op

2nd: $300 Gift Card Enns Brothers & Garage Door Opener from Winnipeg Door & Gate

3rd: 2 Season Tickets to Glesby Centre Main Stage & $50 Gift Card from Boston Pizza.