‘Quacker’ event held at Beachport Salt Lake

KEY ROLES: Beachport and Rivoli Bay Lions Club members Jim Green and Peter Constable and master of ceremonies Ralph Adamo prepared to launch the vessel on to the tranquil waters of the Beachport Salt Lake for the 18th duck race. Story page 4. Picture: J.L. "FRED" SMITH

KEY ROLES: Beachport and Rivoli Bay Lions Club members Jim Green and Peter Constable and master of ceremonies Ralph Adamo prepared to launch the vessel on to the tranquil waters of the Beachport Salt Lake for the 18th duck race. Story page 4. Picture: J.L. “FRED” SMITH

A LARGE crowd of several hundred enjoyed the festive atmosphere at the 18th consecutive staging of the ever-popular Beachport Duck Race on Saturday.

Every summer since 2002 the Beachport District Development Association has staged the race with the assistance of the Beachport/Rivoli Bay Lions Club at the Pool of Siloam.

OVER THE LINE: The judges awarded the duck race title to one raced by Helen Ryan. Picture: J.L. “FRED” SMITH

Hundreds of numbered plastic ducks were pre-sold for $5 with the money raised to help fund the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display and various town improvement projects.

The ducks were released from a boat in the centre of the lake and the winning duck owned by Helen Ryan was the first to float to the shore.

KEEN INTEREST: Adelaide visitors Ann Wickham, her son Nick Marshall and his daughters Emily and Georgia Marshall waited to see which plastic duck would reach the shore first at the Pool of Siloam. Picture: J.L. “FRED” SMITH

The occasion was enhanced by a sausage sizzle, amplified music and an entertaining commentary provided by visiting master of ceremonies Ralph Adamo.

The weather for the Beachport Duck Race looked doubtful with mid-morning showers but the rain cleared away by lunchtime.

MELBOURNE VISITORS: Luke and Zac O’Shea were among the crowd of 500. Picture: J.L. “FRED” SMITH

The support of sponsors and donors meant $2700 worth of products and vouchers could be donated as prizes to the owners of the first 10 ducks which crossed the finish line.