Rogue ducks are once again taking over our town. It’s time for the 6th annual Rogue Duck Derby here in Grants Pass!

Local residents are encouraged to adopt their ducks as soon as possible. The proceeds go to charitable causes, and provided it isn’t below ten dollars,the cost of adoption is up to you.

So what happens to your duck after adoption? Your duck will be barcoded with the number given on your adoption papers and kept safe until September 27th. At approximately noon, all adopted ducks will be dropped from the Parkway Bridge at Baker Park, where they begin the race of their lives. No ducks may be touched or moved during the event. The first to cross the finish line at Riverside Park will be declared the winners, and their adopters rewarded with a variety of prizes. The grand prize is a $20,000 vehicle credit towards a new car or truck from Lithia, Jim Sigel, Mocks, Wheeler Toyota, or Roe Motors. Other prizes include a Lasik Corrective Procedure from the Medical Eye Center, a 46″ Sony Bravia LCD HD Flat Panel TV, and an $1,850 family membership and spa package good for one year at Club Northwest. These are just a few of the great prizes being offered.
video by Sights and Sounds

Bill Thorp of State Farm Insurance, who has chaired this event for five years of its six year existence, recalls the confused look a visitor gave him as Bill explained the Duck Derby. When the story was finished, the man grew very quiet and asked “How do you gather all those ducks at the end of the race?”

Like that man, you can also be assured that these ducks aren’t real. Think back to the little rubber ducky that graced your bubble bath as a child, or perhaps graces it still. Those are the types of ducks we’re talking about here. Despite the fact that the little critters don’t require nearly the same amount of care as the real ones, the Rogue Duck Derby still requires quite a lot of time and effort to coordinate. So why does Bill Thorp bother? Here is the answer in his own words: ” I have always felt an obligation to give back to the communities in which I live. This was an event that needed help to get off the ground, is sustainable and has the capability to make good money for the youth in our community.”

That is exactly what he did. Through his involvement in the Rotary Club, Bill helped get the Rogue Duck Derby started and spends a number of hours every year to help the event run smoothly. While his family thinks he might be slightly crazy to give so much of his time to Derby, they also have a lot of respect for him and realize just how important and helpful it is to the community.

The businesses around town have been quick to get in on the action by sponsoring the prizes that are awarded. The residents apparently enjoy the Rogue Derby, and the adoption of ducks raised over $120,000 dollars last year. Ducks are easy to adopt by visiting any of the following locations:

Bill Thorp, State Farm Insurance
Blind Georges
Club Northwest
Debi Ashley, State Farm Insurance
Dutch Brother’s Coffee House
Elmer’s Restaurant
Field’s Home Improvement Center
Fire Mountain Gems
Grants Pass Daily Courier
HellGate Jet Boat Excursions
Hidden Valley High School
Home Valley Banks-all branches
Jim Sigel Automotive
KAJO/KLDR Radio
Lithia’s Grants Pass Auto Center
Mail Boxes Etc.
Mock’s Ford
North Valley High School
Grants Pass High School
Noteworld Servicing Center
Ol Champion Outlet
Papa Murphy’s Pizza
Photo Den Vision and Sound
Roe Motors
SOFCU Federal Credit Unions
Venuti Group Real Estate
Wheeler Toyota
YMCA
Durolast Roofing
Illinois Valley High School

Good luck, and may the best duck win!