Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Who makes bath time lots of fun? The very same yellow, pink and blue plastic birds that will be bobbing down the Yampa River Saturday in the Hospital Auxiliary and Kiwanis Club's 13th annual Rubber Ducky Race.

"We're looking forward to seeing the sun shining down on them," coordinator Cathy Justice said. "The community has always supported the event. And the price per duck hasn't changed in 13 years."

The mid-morning contest is a particularly exciting time for Yampa Valley's little people.

"Children love to see the pink, yellow and blue plastic quackers floating in the river," coordinator Natalie Cowan said.

This weekend, as ecstatic, competitive tykes cheer on their plastic birds from the banks of the Yampa, the ducks will sail the river from Dr. Rich Weiss Park to the Depot, where Kiwanis Club members, donning rubber waders, will catch the winning ducks.

First prize will be a 2000-2001 ski pass donated by American Skiing Co. Second prize is two tickets to the Indy 500, and the third-place prize is a framed flower print by a well-known local artist. In addition to the first three places, ducky-racers will be able to win dinners, artwork, wall hangings and several other prizes.

Since 1987, the Hospital Auxiliary and Kiwanis Club have collaborated to raise funds for the hospital with the Rubber Ducky Race.

This year, the Hospital Auxiliary and Kiwanis Club are hoping to raise $15,000 to furnish the Grandkids preschool with nursery and playground equipment at the new Yampa Valley Medical Center, as well as wheelchair-access walkways at the new Doak Walker Care Center.

Justice said $15,000 is an achievable goal. Last year, the race raised $11,000.

In past years, the community has used the funds to finance the building of the Sunshine Room at the ECC, a dressing room/lounge for the Mammography Department, the hospital chapel and miscellaneous items such as electric beds, infant monitors and first aid equipment that have been donated.

To reach Bonnie Nadzam call 871-4204 or e-mail bnadzam@amigo.net