The Alternative Press

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ - One does not usually come across a rubber duck outside of a bathtub, and most people would certainly scoff at the idea of seeing thousands of them floating down a river. Yet for many Berkeley Heights residents, such an uncommon sight means just one thing: it's time for the Rubber Ducky Festival.

The Ninth Annual Berkeley Heights Rubber Ducky Festival, held Saturday, was once again declared a big success. Presented by the Berkeley Heights Rotary Club, the event was free for the public and featured food provided by Famous Dave’s BBQ and Charlie the Ice Cream Man. Visitors were able to play carnival games, learn about local businesses, hear live music, attend a car show, and even meet Sparkee, the mascot for the Somerset Patriots baseball team.

Of course, the main attraction of the afternoon was the ducky race, a unique contest in which guests paid five dollars to “adopt” rubber ducks that later floated down the nearby Passaic River. The “parents” of the first five ducks to cross the finish line received prizes, with the first place winner getting a 40-inch Sony television.

“It’s a fun family event,” said Hal Daume of the Rotary Club. “It’s the biggest event of its kind in Berkeley Heights. People look forward to it every year.”

Daume said this year more than 4,000 ducks were paid for, and all of that money is donated to numerous causes supported by the Rotary, including scholarships for graduates of Governor Livingston High School, the Berkeley Heights YMCA, and the Medic-Alert Program. Seven scouting units are also being benefitted by the event according to Daume, and members of Boy Scout Troops 68 and 368 were on hand to help run the various attractions.

One of the most popular attractions of the event was the dunk tank, where visitors paid for the opportunity to drop a famous local face into the water. Berkeley Heights Mayor Joseph Bruno, who was the first target in the tank, said he got involved in the festival because it was for a good cause.

“The Rotary does a lot of good work in our town,” said Bruno. “It’s a charity that raises money to give away … an organization of business people whi want to help the community, and as you can see they do a great job.”

The mayor did indeed get wet, though he holds no hard feelings towards his dunkers.

“It was cool, to say the least,” Bruno joked about getting dropped in the water. “It’s fun to cheer [the kids] on, egg them on – it’s all good-natured fun.”

Another highly visited attraction was the car show, run by Walt Krasny. Krasny said this year’s show featured a wide variety of automobiles, ranging from antique cars to muscle cars to a pair of particularly rare vehicles.

“We’ve actually got two Volkswagen Karmann Ghias,” he said. “It’s hard to even see one."

However, the attraction was not just eye-candy. Krasny explained that those who entered their automobiles in the show voted for the best cars across several categories. First- and second-place winners received trophies for their efforts, while plaques were awarded to victors in two overall vehicle competitions.

The festival was sponsored by area companies, including Summit Medical Group, Investors Bank, Taylor Rental, and The Alternative Press. Additionally, according to Daume, any local business could set up an information table at the event for $100, with non-profit organizations allowed in for free. Thus, guests could discover nearby services and perhaps keep their money within their neighborhood.

Patricia Smith of Smith Chiropractic said that such an opportunity was important for local businesses. “People in the community [can] get together and learn about all of the businesses that are here,” she said. “Some people don’t know.”

Smith’s grandson Collin, also of Smith Chiropractic, agreed that the festival strengthens the community. “It gets people together to talk about different businesses and different programs,” he said. “It gets more people involved.”

Patricia and Collin were not at the event just to promote their company, though. They were also there to proudly support their respective granddaughter and sister Kayla, whose band, the Glycerin Queens, was playing at the festival. For the Smiths, the day was truly a family affair.

They were by no means alone. Countless numbers of families attended the festival this year, drawn by the wide variety of attractions appealing to all ages. One such family was the Fellens – Eric, Diana, and their two young sons – who traveled from Scotch Plains for that very reason.

“It’s got a little bit of everything,” said Eric about the festival. “You’ve got some barbeque going on, some fun and games for the kids, the Moon Bounce is nice, and the classic cars are cool – it’s something for the adults to look back on … and the kids appreciate it too.”

That family-friendly atmosphere is what has allowed the Rubber Ducky Festival to continue successfully for nine straight years. It would not be a quack to look forward to nine more.

For more information about the Rubber Ducky Festival and its sponsors, please visit www.bhrubberducky.com.