I would like to buy a Business Duck/Ducklings’ Duck, how do I do this?

Business & Ducklings’ ducks are only sold online through our Duck Race Shop – go to www.calnelions.org/duck-race and click on the item you wish to purchase.

I have entered before but have lost my Duck / this is my first time entering the race, how do I get a new Duck?

When you fill in the online form to buy your duck, there are boxes that can be ticked to highlight if it is your first time entering or if you have entered before and need to purchase a new duck. Once your entry has been paid for and processed a member of Lions will deliver a duck to the address you have supplied.

What will I receive for entering the Business Duck/Children’s Duck Race?

All businesses and organisations that enter one of our “Big Duck” races will receive a certificate of participation (which will be available to collect when you pick up your duck, after the races have finished). There are additional certificates for the ducks that place 1st – 3rd in each race final with the winner also receiving a Duck Trophy for them to keep. Before the races start, ducks in each category are judged to decide the “Best Dressed Duck” – winners of this competition will also be presented with a Duck Trophy. Presentations of trophies and winners’ certificates will take place after Race Day. Someone from Calne Lions will be in touch to organise a convenient time for this to take place.

Where and when do we need to drop off our Duck?

Emails will be sent out to all entrants in the weeks running up to Race Day, with all the details about where and when to drop the ducks off on Race Day (and when and where to collect after the races).

No-one is around on Race Day to drop off or pick up our Duck, what can we do?

Whilst it is preferable for businesses and organisations to deliver their Duck to the start line and collect from the finish line, we appreciate that that isn’t always possible. If there is no-one available to drop off/pick up then you can contact Calne Lions at calnelionsduckrace@gmail.com and make arrangements to drop your Duck off to one of our Lions members ahead of race day. Any uncollected ducks at the end of the event will be taken home by a Lions member and the owners will be contacted to arrange a convenient time to collect.

What are the Duck Race Tickets for/what can you win?

Duck Race tickets are for the main event of Race Day – the Little Yellow Duck Race. 3500 plastic ducks are launched down the River Marden. Each duck is numbered and corresponds to a ticket. The first 3 ducks over the finish line will win their ticket holders a cash prize; 1st – £250, 2nd – £150 & 3rd – £75. Winners will be notified by a member of Calne Lions in the days that follow the race.

How do I buy Duck Race Tickets?

Duck Race tickets can be bought online through our online Duck Race Shop www.calnelions.org/duck-race from the beginning of March. Closer to Race Day tickets will also be available to buy in person, in some local shops. Look out on our Facebook Page to find more details of when and where they will be available. Tickets will be available until just before the race takes place – there will be ticket sellers at the start line and at The Wharf on race day.

Do I need a PayPal account to pay for my online purchase?

No, you make a stand alone payment through PayPal without the need to create an account or log in.

How do I pay for my purchase through PayPal without creating an account?

When you are redirected to PayPal, you should have the option to sign into your account or pay with a card:

Fill in your card details and make sure you have unchecked the box at the bottom which gives the option to save details and create an account, so you can make a standalone payment

I’m not going to be around on Duck Race Day, how will I know if I’ve won?

Whether you bought your ticket online or in person, we collected contact information for you when you bought the ticket. We will contact all winners to organise presenting prize money.

Where is the Duck Race?

The Duck Race takes place in the River Marden in Calne Town centre.

Where does the Duck Race start and finish?

The Duck Race starts in the stretch of the Marden alongside the old Co-op Carpark (next to the Pocket Park). Ducks race along the Marden, past the beach next to Fay’s Bistro, under the main road and along the Wharf, finishing by Marden House.

What time does it start/finish?

The first race will start at 11am, however the stalls on The Wharf gardens are open from 10am. The event will end between 12:30-1pm once the final race has completed.

What time are the Races?

The first race will begin at 11am. We start off with the Business Duck race (which is usually split into several heats). Once all the heats have taken place, we will run the Children’s Duck Race and then the Business Duck Race final. Once all the “Big Duck” races have been swum, we will launch the 3500 little yellow ducks.

When does the Little Yellow Duck race start?

We cannot give a definitive start time as it all depends on the number of “Big Duck” heats that need to be swum and how fast the River Marden is flowing.

How can I watch the Duck Race?

The Races can be viewed all along the River Marden, that is open for the public to access. Many people congregate on Beach Terrace* and either side of the River Marden from the Town Hall to The Wharf.

*Although Calne Lions will have volunteers in the water and around the beach, we accept no liability for members of the public who choose to watch from the edge of the River Marden, there. If your family is on the beach, please keep children away from the waters edge, for their own safety and stop them from trying to touch the Ducks as they go past.

What else is happening on the day?

In addition the Races, there will be a collection of stalls on The Wharf gardens, which in the past have included various tombolas, cake stalls and games. These stalls are run by different local Community Groups to fundraise and help raise awareness for their groups. There are also usually an ice cream van, candy floss seller and of course the Calne Lions Burger Van.