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White River Celebration, Duck Race returns Sept. 10
Each year, hundreds of numbered rubber ducks are poured into the White River at the rail and walking bridge, north of Logan Street. The ducks then “race” south to the Logan Street bridge to cross the finish line. The owner of the first duck to cross wins $1,000. (Current file photos)

White River Celebration, Duck Race returns Sept. 10

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By on Noblesville, Noblesville Community

By Sadie Hunter

 

Next week, Noblesville’s annual White River Cleanup and Celebration, along with the Duck Race, will be returning downtown Sept. 10.

Each year, hundreds of numbered rubber ducks are poured into the White River at the rail and walking bridge, north of Logan Street. The ducks then “race” south to the Logan Street bridge to cross the finish line. The owner of the first duck to cross wins $1,000. (Current file photos)
Each year, hundreds of numbered rubber ducks are poured into the White River at the rail and walking bridge, north of Logan Street. The ducks then “race” south to the Logan Street bridge to cross the finish line. The owner of the first duck to cross wins $1,000. (Current file photos)

This year, Tim Stottlemeyer, MS4 program manager for the Noblesville Engineering Dept., said the cleanup event will be celebrating its 22nd year in Noblesville.

“And over 10 years with the expanded river miles in Carmel and Fishers,” Stottlemeyer said. “Initially it was about removing the massive amount of trash and junk that had accumulated over decades of carelessness and abuse. We removed thousands of tires and over 400 tons of junk.”

But Stottlemeyer said as that phase has run its course, it’s getting more difficult to find trash.

“We still find some stuff that either others couldn’t get out in previous years or new stuff that floats down to us from upstream, so there will be a maintenance aspect that we need to do. The other aspect is that we want people to come and get close to the river and see how beautiful it really is now that it’s not full of trash … We see less hot water heaters and washing machines and that kind illegal dumping in the river but we still do see old stuff surface from time to time as the water shifts it.”

Aside from the cleanup, the main event surrounding the White River Celebration from 3 to 7 p.m. is the Duck Race, to begin at approximately 5 p.m., where hundreds of rubber ducks will be poured off of a train into the water, floating to the finish line, the Logan Street bridge. The owner of the first duck to cross the finish line will win $1,000, followed by three, $500 runner-up prizes.

Duck Race tickets are currently on sale for $5 per duck at all Noblesville Main Street events and at Courtney’s Kitchen, A Corner Cottage, Logan Village Mall and Noble Coffee & Tea.

PARTICIPATE IN THE CLEANUP

  • What: 22nd Annual White River Cleanup
  • When: 8 a.m. to noon, Sept. 10.
  • Where: Meet at the Moose Lodge at 950 Field Dr., just off of Ind. 19.
  • Register: 8 to 11 a.m., Sept. 10 at the Moose Lodge. Groups must pre-register online at www.whiterivercleanup.org.
  • What to bring: Prepare to get dirty and wet. Wear sturdy shoes and gloves.
  • Cost: Free.
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