Dear Mummy, we took our rubber ducks out of the bath water and into the River Test for the annual Duck Race in Overton, Hampshire. The “Great Overton Duck Race” is run to raise funds for St Mary’s Hall.
It began as a one-off event, but has since become something of an annual occurrence, raising in excess of £12,000 for the hall’s facilities so far. A whole day of sitting and playing down by the river on the bank holiday sounds like a very relaxing activity. It was also a special day as it was my mummy’s birthday.
We set off early to find a clearing by the side of the bank to lay out our picnic blanket and camping chairs. In our eagerness we were the first family there and watched the organisers time trial the ducks on the water. I also took the opportunity to road test…well water test my rubber duck.
There was around a 100 yellow ducks per race and we could bet on a duck during the event or order online. They all had numbers on their backs and once we purchased a duck in the race we were allocated its number. There were 6 races during the day with 30 min breaks in between so we could paddle in the water and browse the stalls.
I had great fun cheering on my duck and running to the finishing line to help the organisers to collect them up out of the water. My folks started off the day wanting to keep me dry and clean but by the end of the event they just wanted me to have fun so were happy for me to play on the muddy banks and get wet.
The organisers were very funny, cracking jokes during the races and promoting audience participation. My mummy and grandma became very animated when one of ours was in the lead, but sadly he failed at the tree log hurdle.
It was a very unusual birthday celebration which I’m sure my mummy won’t forget for a long time, but one of the best days. Its going to become an annual family tradition methinks! All proceeds from the event went back into the community for new facilities for St Mary’s Hall, Overton.
Love Bella x
dearmummyblog.com 
Reblogged this on Mummy Time Out and commented:
We missed this event but there is nothing quite like good old honest traditional fun and duck racing is just that! This local Hampshire event sounded like a great day out with kids.
What a fun idea for an event! My daughter would love getting involved with this 🙂
Oh I love this!! Sounds like so much fun!! x
I love it. It looks like awesome fun. Happy birthday to Mummy. Sarah #explorerkids
This looks like such a fun idea. I saw something similar in Wales a few weeks back, wish they did something like this where I live!!
Oh I love all the different ducks! What a lovely way to raise money and have fun at the same time x
What a lovely day out! And happy birthday to your Mummy, I’m sure she enjoyed her day! #ExplorerKids
Ahhh amazing I’ve always wanted to go a duck race this looks like such a fantastically fun event!
I love a good duck race! Great pics too.
I love duck races. We did the one in Wimborne this year and cheering our duck on was great fun (we didnt win)
What a lovely day out, I LOVE duck races, so much fun waiting to see whos comes in first!
That sounds like so much fun. One of our local towns holds an annual duck race fundraiser and while we’ve never been we do know that the organizers dump a loader bucket full of ducks into the river!
What a fun event! And fab that it is raising money for a good cause at the same time 🙂 x
This is so cute! I haven’t seen these before but my son would love taking part!
This looks like a good event to take the kids to
I do love a good duck race. My boys do one to raise money with the scouts. They are great fun and generate a great community atmosphere. Sounds like a wonderful way to raise money for a good cause and enjoy a day out. Happy birthday to Mummy.
Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids
Ohh this sounds like so much fun, hilarious !! #countrykids
I read about these before but never been to one. They looks great fun and a lovely way to bring the community together. Mich x
My daughter’s school holds an annual duck race and everyone joins in. This also looks so much fun especially with a picnic! Glad you guys had good weather, imagine doing that in the rain! #countrykids
Bella looks so cute on that duck!
Duck races are so much fun, I’m sorry yours didn’t make it past that log, but there is always next time.
Thank you for taking part in #explorerkids linky
Also don’t forget the badge. Thank you. Xx
Sounds like a fab tradition to make. It looks like so much fun, I’m going to see if there’s anything like this near me x
#countrykids
I love this – I live quite close to Chester and they do something similar! Such a great idea #countrykids
I love the idea of these although we don’t have any near us #countrykids
I’ve never been to a duck race but they always sound like so much fun. Looks like you had fun in the river too and I love the giant inflatable duck 🙂 #countrykids
This looks brilliant! I have to say I have never been there even though I live in Hampshire and I hope mummy had a brilliant birthday #Countrykids
Ignore wow this looks like such an amazing day! I am certainly going to keep an eye out for something like this near us! #countrykids
Ah what a fun day out – not just for the kids but the adults too! Will have to make a visit x