Murphys, CA…Whether wading in the creek scooping up ducks or just enjoying a fun-filled afternoon in the park, just about everyone loves the Murphys Duck Races, part of Murphys Homecoming. This year’s event takes place Saturday, July 15, from about noon to about 3pm in Murphys Park. From 1pm to 2:30pm, there will be three different “races” in Murphys Creek. The Duckling Race kicks off at 1pm, with $3 tickets to vie for a chance to win JoMa’s ice cream, Angels Theater movie tickets, or a gift certificate to Murphys Toy Store. The Quacker Race starts at 1:30pm, and tickets are $5; winners in this event take home prizes like ice cream, movie tickets, or a Zip Line at Moaning Caverns. The finale is the Golden Goose Race at 2pm, in which $10 tickets put contestants in the running for golf at Sequoia Woods, fine dining at the Murphys Hotel, or a gift from Quyle Kilns. After each “heat,” all the kids help corral and collect the hundreds of rubber duckies that have been floating merrily downstream.

To make the races fair for everyone, winners are randomly selected from among all ticket holders. Tickets are available at select times in front of Sierra Hills Market or online at calaverasmentoringfoundation.org.

The Murphys Duck Races is a fundraiser for the Calaveras Mentoring Foundation, which raises awareness and funds for youth mentoring in Calaveras County, especially the Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program. The Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program connects local youth with safe, positive mentors who offer friendship, opportunity, and support for making healthy life decisions. To learn more about how to support this important program, please visit the Calaveras Mentoring Foundation website at CalaverasMentoringFoundation.org.

“It’s not our job to toughen our children up to face a cruel and heartless world. It’s our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless.”
–G.R. Knost