Rubber Duck Race Success!
Submitted by Linda Livelli
On Sunday, October 13, 2019, Hanson Park Conservancy held their 9th Annual Duck Race at Sperry Park in Cranford, NJ. It was a beautiful fall day and kids and adults alike had a wonderful time. Rubber Duck Race organizers launched 1,500 ducks over the water falls and the crowd went crazy as the ducks made their way to the finish line. Cranford’s own Bernie Wagenblast was on hand to “call the race” and keep the crowd excited.
Duck #3844 was the first duck to the cross the finish line and Rich Rosenberg went home with Prize # 1, a $250 gift card. Duck #8148 was the 2nd to cross the finish line and Lizzie Willey was the winner of a Cranford Canoe Club Adventure Day Prize package. The third-place duck # 4061 belonged to Judy Gallagher who won the $100 gift card. Congratulations to all our lucky duck winners. HPC gave out 12 prizes in total with 3 grand prize winners.
Other prizes for race day were graciously donated by Holiday Inn of Clark, Periwinkles, Milk Money, Vinny’s Pizza, Fresh Pressed Juice Company, Alleum Yoga, Fromage Grill and Pizzeria Bel Giardino.
Hanson Park Conservancy would like to thank two very important Cranford merchants who lend tremendous support every year to HPC and the Annual Duck Race. Elaine Moffett, Owner of Periwinkles and her staff sold over 900 ducks from her store located on North Union Ave, Cranford. It is with extreme gratitude we’d like to thank Elaine for helping us achieve our goals and support this event.
Ralph Circelli of the Cranford Canoe Club assisted our team with race day boat/canoe launch from the Canoe Club, sold ducks from the Canoe Club and graciously donated one of our grand prize gifts. Thank you, Ralph and Cranford Canoe Club, for all your support of HPC’s Annual Duck Race.
Friends of the Cranford Library set up table at this year events and the kids enjoyed button making. We hope to have them back again next year.
Please visit our website at Hanson Park Conservancy to see a list of Sponsors who helped us raise the much-needed funds that continue maintenance and educational programs at Hanson Park. We are so grateful to our sponsors, merchants and residents who continue to support this event every year. Please thank them if you get the chance. We look forward to seeing everyone again in 2020.
If you have not yet walked through this lovely little park, please visit this hidden gem located at 38 Springfield Ave.
