SEELEY LAKE- In the fabled children’s story “Winnie the Pooh,” the characters pass time playing a game called ‘Pooh Sticks.’ Sticks are dropped off a bridge and the first to emerge from the other side is declared the winner.
Seeley Lake has its own version of river racing.
The annual Fourth of July Duck Races will once again fill the Clearwater River with hundreds of rubber yellow ducks.
Gayle Gordon has been organizing the duck races for 20 years. The first year, it began as a fundraiser for the Seeley-Swan High School golf team. The team was a new addition to the school’s sports line up and was unfunded for two years.
“We have water, we can do this,” Gordon thought when she was brainstorming fundraising ideas.
The first year Gordon held the fundraiser, she floated about 100 ducks down the river through Double Arrow Golf Course.
This year she expects to dump close to 500 rubber ducks into the river.
After cascading over the bridge railing into the water, the ducks race downstream. The race takes about 15 minutes depending on how fast the current is.
To help any ducks that get tangled in the weeds, Gordon has volunteer duck wranglers that follow along and throw wayward ducks back into the pack.
Of the 500 ducks released, the top ten to cross the finish line will be awarded prizes. Cash prizes go to the four fastest floaters, and the rest of the top 10 will receive complimentary dinners from the Chicken Coop.
All leftover money is donated. Gordon said that she usually donates more than $1,000 each year.
Gordon gives the proceeds to various organizations around town. One year she helped buy sleds for the elementary school, another year she donated money to the rifle team.
This year, the recipient is yet undecided.
After the race happens, Gordon usually spends a few days accounting for each of the ducks. Weights have to be evened out to make the race fair, older ducks need to be mended and some are retired when they get too waterlogged.
“I, too, should be a retired duck,” Gordon exclaimed.
This is her year.
After searching for a replacement organizer for a few years, Cristine Matheny has come on to give Gordon a well-earned break.
“It’s been around for 20 years so when you say duck race people around here know what you’re talking about,” said Matheny who helped out with the race last year.
Matheny will take over completely next year. There won’t be any major changes, she just hopes the race will continue to be a Fourth of July staple in Seeley Lake.
Until then, Gordon is excited to put on the race for one more year.
“I love kids and that’s where it all started,” said Gordon. “It’s a journey I’m glad we’ve made because it’s something for the whole community to look forward to and it helps kids.”
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