CHB mayor Alex Walker took part in the sponge throw raising money for the Ronald McDonald House charity. Photo / Supplied
CHB mayor Alex Walker took part in the sponge throw raising money for the Ronald McDonald House charity. Photo / Supplied
Record crowds and a mayor willing to have sponges thrown at her face delighted organisers of the 25th annual Duck Day in Waipawa.
The popular Central Hawke's Bay spring festival day on Saturday involved music, craft stalls, a corn maze, food trucks and of course, the iconic duck race downthe river.
Pip Burne, one of the many organisers, said despite the Havelock North Village Festival, Gypsy Fair and Home & Garden show being held on the same day, "record crowds of people in the thousands turned up this year.''
1600 yellow ducks raced in the 25th annual duck race. Photo / Jackie Lowry Photography
"Some people said to me that they'd never seen so many people in Nelly Jull Park which was great."
The three duck races are the main crowd-drawing event of the day with 60 decorated by businesses racing in the corporate race, 1600 little yellow ducks racing in the general race and 25 silver ducks racing to celebrate the 25th anniversary.
"We sold 1600 and there were still people looking for more tickets."
This year ducks raced in the original event 25 years ago were strung through a tree by Centralines for decoration.
This year a duck tree was created with the ducks from the original duck race 25 years ago strung in a tree by Centralines. Photo / Supplied
Funds raised from duck race tickets, stall holders' fees and an art auction are all part of fundraising for the Ronald McDonald House charity.
Last year they raised about $7000 and about $4000 in the year prior.
Burne said the event celebrates community and gives people a reason to come out and catch up with each other.
"It was just lovely, watching people wander down the street and catch up with people."
For some of the stall holders, it was their first time out since February Burne said.
One of the many attendees was Central Hawke's Bay mayor Alex Walker who willingly had about 15 sponges thrown at her face as part of the fundraising for the Ronald McDonald house.
"People could hop in and volunteer to have a sponge thrown at them. All sorts of local people had done it so it was pretty obvious when I was there that I needed to put my face in it."
Walker said the event is an important part of Central Hawke's Bay and has been for 25 years.
"The biggest thing is getting community out and about and having fun together, that's what I saw on Saturday."
