Sunday was a perfect day to see more than 1,000 little rubber duckies swim toward the finish line. A large crowd of adults and children turned out to see the Margate Business Association’s fourth annual Ducky Derby go off without a hitch at the municipal pier on Washington Avenue.

The race started promptly at 11:30 a.m. but before volunteers dumped buckets containing 1,500 of the little yellow swimmers into the bay, children had the opportunity to play table games, including Quack in the Hole, Fishin’ for Fowl, Jenga and cornhole. USA DJ Bernie Jenkins played the popular “Chicken Dance” song and children got in line to flap their wings and paddle their feet.

Volunteers on kayaks were out early in the morning to set up the course, which due to the incoming tide started at the end of the pier and worked its way toward the bulkhead near Scott’s Dock.

As the duckies approached the finish line, volunteer Steve Jasiecki pulled the first three finishers and called out the numbers written on the bottom of the ducks.

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Margate Ducky Derby

The MBA hosted its fourth annual Ducky Derby Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024 at the Margate Municipal Pier on Washington Avenue.

Prizes were awarded for the top three finishers who won $1,000, $500, and $250 gift cards.

The winners are:

1st place - #1237 purchased by Lucy of The Other Lucy Beach Grill

2nd place - #1284 purchased by Jeff Silva

3rd place – #538 purchased by Larry Schreiber

Mayor Michael Collins attended the event with his family and noted the increased crowd size in attendance.

“Another great event put on by the MBA,” he said. “Next year, they’re going to have to get more ducks.”

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