By Mary O’KEEFE

And they’re off!

The Kiwanis Incredible Duck Splash (KIDS) takes place this Saturday, Nov. 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Verdugo Park when the Kiwanis Club of Glendale transforms part of the park into Lake Glendale – with the help of the Glendale Fire Dept.

The Duck Splash is actually a duck race involving thousands of little yellow ducks racing down the temporary river.

“From 5,000 to 100,000 or more yellow rubber ducks ‘race’ to a finish line to earn great prizes for their ‘adoptive’ owners, matched by a unique number on a tag on the bottom of each duck,” according to the Kiwanis website.

This is the 14th year of the KIDS fundraiser, which benefits children in Glendale and neighboring cities throughout Los Angeles County.

“Actually duck races are held all over the world,” said Randy Slaughter, of the Kiwanis Club of Glendale and one of the captains of the duck teams.

According to duckrace.com, the Duck Splash fundraisers began in 1988 and, throughout the world, have raised over $280,000,000 for non-profits. Non-profit organizations can sign up to be “duck teams,” adopting out the ducks for $5 each for a chance to win up to $10,000 in cash prizes. Half of the monies earned through these adoptions are donated back to the non-profit organizations.

In Glendale, the race not only raises funds that will be shared locally but is a community event that involves local elementary, middle and high school students who volunteer their time to help the race run smoothly. In addition, there will information booths and game booths set up to entertain and music to spur on the ducks – one of the most popular being “Yellow Duckie” sung by Ernie of Sesame Street. The race mascot, Quacky, will also be on-site for picture taking.

Those who want to support this local fundraiser can adopt a duck or ducks at ducks4kids.org. A Lone Duck, one duck, is $5; a Quack Pack of five ducks is $25; a Family Pack of 20 ducks costs $100; a Flock of 50 ducks is $250. The prizes range from first place of $10,000 to a Quick Pick drawing of $500.

The Kiwanis Club of Glendale supports many youth-driven organizations. Local non-profits encourage supporters to adopt ducks in the name of their organizations. Over 20,000 ducks were adopted last year, surpassing their goal. This year KIDS is hoping to “race” past their goal of 16,000 duck adoptions. As of Tuesday, 13,232 had been adopted.

From the beginning of this event in 2004 to 2017, the Kiwanis Club of Glendale has raised over $1 million. The proceeds from the Kiwanis Incredible Duck Splash have been distributed to 37 local nonprofit organizations.

  Mary Okeefe