CARNIVAL: Rain fails to dampen duck race fun enthusiasm

HUNDREDS of yellow plastic ducks loved the rain although it was not exactly ideal weather for the spectators – but the crowds still came out to support the 16th annual duck race in aid of South Petherton Carnival.

Spectators lined the route for the annual duck race earlier today (Sunday, March 27, 2016) where the cavalcade of yellow ducks made their way down the stream through the village.

In some years the ducks have slowly meandered their way down the water, but with heavy rain over the weekend the stream was running fast and the “competitors” took no time at all to complete the course.

A giant Easter Bunny mingled with the crowds and handed out chocolate treats, while the results of the duck race were announced at a packed Brewers Arms in South Petherton.

PHOTO - TOP: Crowds at the start of the duck race.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Mark Pearce, of the Brewers Arms, gets ready to set the ducks off on their way.

Owner of the winning duck was Elliott Benyon who claimed the £100 first prize, while Zak Richards was runner-up to win £50. Birthday girl Kara Storey was third and won £25.

Overall the duck race raised a whopping £1,000 for South Petherton Carnival funds. This year’s Carnival will be held in the village in early September.

Organisers would like to thank everyone for taking part and their continued support.

The race had started with the sun out, but a few minutes later the heavens opened and heavy rain poured down – but that failed to dampen the enthusiasm of all involved.

Local firefighters were on hand to pump a bit of extra water into the stream to give the ducks a little helping hand at the start of the race.

Top Ten Finishers were as follows: 1 Elliott Benyon (duck number 279); 2 Zak Richards (861); 3 Kara Storey (344); 4 Maynard (282); 5 Crispin (157); 6 Ashdown (196); 7 Scarlett Purefoy (571); 8 Freya Salisbury (293); 9 Paul Toolan (1248); 10 Jack Acreman (152).

More photos from today's duck race at South Petherton can be found on this link: http://www.ilminsterpress.co.uk/blog/2016/03/27/south-petherton-carnival-duck-race-march-27-2016/ .

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Carnival.