By Kathleen Leese

For Miami Valley Today

PIQUA — The Great Miami River was dotted with 1,290 small yellow ducks that were released as part of the Rockin’ River Duck Drop in Piqua on Saturday, Aug. 17, as part of the 10th annual event at Lock 9 Park, including one person who won $1,000 with their duck.

This year’s event, which saw downpours that resulted in a delay in the drop, featured numbered ducks that were adopted by local residents and then included in the drop, which benefits Mainstreet Piqua and helps to support events like Taste of the Arts, Piqua Community Farmers Market and Christmas on the Green.

The duck drop DJ and emcee was Clint Myers. He is also a DJ for Power 107.1.

The grand prize winner of $1,000 with the winning duck was Michael Gottfried. Other prizes included a weekly lunch for a year donated by Bits and Pieces Rolled Ice Cream; third place was a $250 gift card donated by Barclays Men’s and Women’s Clothiers, Piqua and the fourth place winner will receive a recliner valued at $399 donated by The Furniture Store, Piqua. The owners of 10 ducks drawn from the water will receive a $25 gift card donated by Crooked Handle Brewing Company, Piqua.

According to a press release from Mainstreet Piqua, in which no last names were given, “Second place, a weekly lunch for a year donated by Bits & Pieces Rolled Ice Cream, went to Pamela J.; third place, a $250 gift card donated by Barclay’s Mens-Womens Clothiers, went to Grace M.; last place, a recliner valued at $399 donated by The Furniture Store, went to Lorna S.

“Ten random ducks, each getting a $25 gift card donated by Crooked Handle Brewing Co., were awarded to Clint M., Rita E, Tom J., Dianna B., Jean H., Beth K., Steve S., Ben M., Sue D., and Melissa H.”

A Jeep Cruise-In was held in front of Crooked Handle and was the first of its kind to be featured at the event. The winners of that event received $50 gift cards donated by Crooked Handle Brewing Company. The categories included best looking, oldest, most modified, kids choice and best mall crawler. The winners are: Best looking – Tammy S., oldest – Nathan W., most modified – Tammy S., kids’ choice – Lee W. and best mall crawler – Shannon W.

There were also winners announced for a coloring contest from adult to young children. They also received prizes.

Sponsors for the event and prizes include Mutual Federal, Miami Valley Steel, Jackson Tube Service, Inc., Premier Health, Palmer Bolt and Supply Co., Apex Aluminum Die Casting Co. Inc., Joe Drapp, Barclay’s Men’s Women’s Clothiers, Bits & Pieces Rolled Ice Cream, The Furniture Store and Crooked Handle Brewing Company.

The writer is a regular contributor to Miami Valley Today.