Annual Hamptons Family Fun Day And Duckie Race Goes Digital

The Hampton Bays Civic Association’s Family Fun Day and Duckie Race will be a hybrid of online and in person events this year. The digital programming will take place Wednesday, September 2 through Friday, September 11, while the Duckie Race will be held at its usual spot, the canal raceway in front of Cowfish restaurant in Hampton Bays, on Saturday, September 12.

“In a time of COVID-19 when we can’t get together, the Hampton Bays Civic Association has taken the most exciting parts of their Family Fun Day as a virtual experience,” Mario Russo noted. “While the Duckie Race will be held live, Saturday, September 12, all the other events are on the website (hbcivic.org).”

The virtual iteration will include the chance to cast your vote for the best decorated duck of 2020, bid on silent auction items, watch videos, and purchase raffle tickets to win 12 dinners over 12 months at local eateries.

“The kids just love drawing ducks and now they can post them on the website and give all their friends a chance to vote with them for their favorite decorated duck,” Susanna Powel relayed.

The popular end of summer gathering serves as an annual fundraiser for the Hampton Bays Civic Association.

“We’ve always had a great day at Family Fun Day and we’re looking forward to trying the virtual version,” shared Elenor Hyland.

The main event – the Duckie Race – will get underway at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 12. It is open to spectators and as long as the weather conditions are right, HBCA will broadcast the race live via drone footage. It will also be rebroadcast later on the HBCA website.

“The HBCA website is simply reduckulious!” Ken Denau added.

Racing ducks will be available to purchase for $50 leading up to the start of the race. To purchase one, contact Maria Hults at 631-728-2285. The race winner (the first duck to reach the shore) will receive a $200 prize, while the second and third place winners will receive a ribbon for their duck.

The Hampton Bays Civic Association, which was founded in 1918, is “dedicated to promoting the prosperity, welfare and civic advancement of the community of Hampton Bays by united effort and action in every possible lawful manner.”

For more information, visit www.hbcivic.org.