DUCKS ON THE DAN
DBi is going to need to generate more funds through fund-raising in the future so I traveled to South Boston to see firsthand one of their most successful fundraising campaigns. They generated over $15,000 net profit last year, their first year so this was only their second time doing it. A big aspect of the event was merchandising. South Boston Downtown Development Association contracted with a company that sent them merchandise on consignment
MERCHANDISING WAS A HUGE PART
South Boston's VMS sign Duck Umbrellas Duck Race T-shirts
There was a lot of merchandise at various prices. Things like caps, Jr. Race Ducks, Duck Hats, Quacking Ducks, Duck pins, Ducky banks and Duck notepads, to name a few. All this was sold at a table under a tent where ducks were sold, or adopted. The perimeter of the square was lined with inflatables and a white board detailed how it works. For ten bucks you could ride all the inflatables for the entire day and get 2 free bull rides as part of the deal.
It all happens at the Adopt-A-Duck table
People came in droves and put their money down. The concession stand drew a crowd onto itself!
INFLATABLES GALORE
Lots of inflatables means lots of parents, which means lots of kids, which means lots of fun, which translates into lots of money being spent which translates into lots of net profit for the event!
TIME FOR THE MAIN EVENT!!
Disco Duck performs and then the announcement goes out that the Ducks are about to be dumped in the Dan River so the crowds head for the bridge overlooking the dump site.
The crowds assemble on the overpass as the crane gets in place and the ducks are dropped from the bridge into the Dan River below.
And the race is on! The ducks rush down stream into traps. The first duck to arrive earns $5,000 for the person lucky enough to have adopted that particular critter!