Fifteen hundred brand new ducks are about to embark on their first journey through Meaford on June 28.

The event is being hosted by the Meaford Co-operative Preschool. To kick off the race, the preschool will be holding a fundraiser barbecue from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Meaford Foodland with the cutoff for tickets being 1:30 p.m. on race day.

 The race starts at 2 p.m. on the Saturday with a fleet of 1,500 bright yellow numbered ducks fully clad in army fatigues, nurse's uniforms, hockey uniforms, fire department gear, hippie outfits, doctor's outfits and many more interesting outfits. The ducks will be dumped off the bridge in Meaford and will then make their way through town and into the harbor where they will cross the finish line.

Prizes will be awarded to the first, second, third and fourth duck across the finish line. All the prizes have been graciously donated by local merchants. First prize is $1,000 cash donated by Johnson & Robertson Financial in Meaford; second prize is a $500 gift certificate donated by Vandolder's Home Team-Custom Exteriors located in Owen Sound and Collingwood, third prize is a $250 gift certificate donated by the Leeky Canoe in Meaford and fourth prize is $200 cash donated by Brad's Automotive in Meaford.

Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $12 and all proceeds will be donated to the Meaford Co-operative Preschool.  

To purchase your tickets, please call the preschool at (519) 538-3854 or watch for tickets being sold around Meaford at Muxlow Pharmacy, Johnson & Robertson Financial, Scotiabank, Almond's Farm Market and the Farmers Market. For more information about The Great Meaford Duck Race please contact James Marshall at 538-0003 or Jen Wright at 538-3214.