Tickets still available for Parks and Rec Duck Drop, Aug. 28

     The Monticello Parks and Recreation Department is finalizing plans for their final fundraiser of the season for the Austin Smith Inclusive Playground project.

     The First Annual Duck Drop will take place on Saturday, Aug. 28 at 11 a.m. Those who wish to watch the event can start on the Oak Street Bridge where the ducks will be dumped into Kitty Creek. (Park in the willow Shelter parking lot.) You can then follow them downstream before they cross the finish line at the E. First Street Bridge. Parks and Rec Director Jacob Oswald said during a test run of the ducks, it took them about 45 minutes from bridge to bridge.

     “It depends on the water level,” he warned.

     There are also a handful of cut-out spots along Willow Trail where people can catch a glimpse of the ducks floating down the creek.

     Parks and Rec has been working hard to also clean up Kitty Creek and remove debris.

     “We don’t want anything to hold any ducks up,” remarked Oswald.

     There is still plenty of time to purchase your ticket for the Duck Drop, with a deadline of Wednesday, Aug. 25. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased from any Park Board member, or at Monticello Sports, City Hall, the Monticello Public Library, the Berndes Center, Mission Cup Coffee, or Ohnward Bank & Trust.

     “We want to sell as many tickets as we can,” urged Oswald of the fundraiser.

     So far, roughly 120 tickets have been sold.

     The top three ducks to cross the finish line will be named the winners. First place will receive 20 percent of the pot; second, 10 percent; and third, 5 percent.

     “The more ducks we sell, the bigger the pot,” offered Oswald.

     Right now the first-place winner could receive just shy of $200. You do not have to be present to win. However, only those 21 and older can collect the winnings. Oswald said they didn’t want to mandate the winners’ presence because several people from out of town have purchased tickets to aid in the fundraiser.

     Of all the tickets sold thus far, Oswald said Parks and Rec has been able to raise about $620 from this fundraiser for the playground.

     When you purchase a ticket, you will see a number stamped on the side of the ticket. That number is irrelevant when it comes to the number of your duck, which will be revealed on the “City of Monticello – IA Parks & Recreation” Facebook page the week of the drop. Participants’ duck numbers will also be announced at the event itself on Aug. 28.

     With a series of fundraisers this year, Parks and Rec dedicated proceeds toward the Austin Smith Inclusive Playground project. These fundraisers will continue on an annual basis for general city park improvements or for a specific project that has been identified by the department.

     As summer comes to a close, Parks and Rec will once again host the Fourth Annual Pool Pawty at the Aquatic Center on Monday, Sept. 6, beginning at 5 p.m.

     Small dogs can take to the water between 5 and 5:45. All other dogs (and their owners) can show up from 5:45 to 7 p.m.

     Admission is $5 per dog or a donation item for the Animal Welfare Friends Shelter. Items to consider include: Tidy Cat litter, pill pockets for dogs and cats, Purina kitten chow (dry), Purina Naturals dry cat food, Purina small breed dry dog food, Tide Pods, paper towels, and bleach (by the gallon).

     Those in attendance at the Pool Pawty must be able to produce documentation of their pet’s up-to-date vaccinations.

     For more details, contact Parks and Rec at 319-465-6640.