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The dunk tank returns this year. Above, the frenzy around last year's dunk tank. Linda Lemmon file photo.
Pluck-a-Duck
fund-raiser
bigger than
ever before
PUTNAM --- Quack Quack! The Putnam Business Association announces that the 2024 Pluck-A-Duck Raffle Event is taking place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 11 and at noon Aug. 12, because one day simply isn’t enough for this unique fund-raising event.
The PBA Pluck-A-Duck Raffle Event joins forces with the Town of Putnam’s Main Street Car Cruise on August 11, where attendees will enjoy viewing over seventeen hundred classic cars, live music & more, including the Kids Corner in Rotary Park, where Bounce Houses, Hale YMCA Gaga Pit, Balloons By Bella, Charter Oak Federal Credit Union Photo Booth, Arts & Crafts Tent, Quiet Corner Garden Club’s Potted Plants Creations, Face Painting, exhibitors with fun activities & giveaways, and Xen’s Critters petting zoo await kids of all ages. New this year is the Wonderful Waddle, a treasure hunt where young attendees will visit various activities and exhibitors to have their Wonderful Waddle sheet stamped. Completed sheets will be turned into the Putnam Business Association’s Kids Corner tent, where one lucky winner will be randomly selected and receive a backpack completely filled with school supplies along with a BMX Kink Curb 2025 Desert Gold Bicycle from Putnam Cyclery. This fantastic prize valued at $425 was made possible by the support of our Kids Corner sponsors. The Wonderful Waddle sheets will be available for download on the Putnam Business Association and Discover Putnam Facebook pages and day-of-event at the Wall Of Wishes display.
Whether kids walk, waddle or fly, they can give the Fun Run a try! Partnering with Northeast Opportunities for Wellness (NOW), children can participate in this one-mile Fun Run, beginning at 10 a.m. from the Hale YMCA Youth & Family Center, 9 Technology Park Drive in Putnam CT and race down the scenic walking path overlooking the Quinebaug river. The PBA Pluck-A-Duck Kids Fun Run is part of NOW’s ongoing 2-month kids’ marathon program. All youth participants will receive a shirt, customized medal, refreshments, and enjoy a day of activities in the Kids Corner. The Fun Run is possible with support from breezeline, Centreville Bank and Christopher Heights. Registration is available at www.nowinmotion.org
Is there a wish that would make you feel “just ducky?” Post your special wish on the Westminter Tool Wall Of Wishes, and a donation will be made to Make-A-Wish Connecticut, in support of creating life changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The Wall Of Wishes was designed and created with the assistance of Putnam Science Academy’s Director of Visual Arts, Sarah Stoll, and PSA art students.
Making a splash once again is the Celebrity Dunk Tank, where local celebs like attorney Kate Cerrone of The Northeast Law Center; Rob Challinor of VFW Auxiliary Post 1523; and two professional boxers representing Rude Dog Boxing will tempt event-goers to donate a minimum of $5 for two chances to make our celebrities take the plunge. The three celebrities that successfully raise the most funds, will have a donation made in their name to their preferred charity, from a grateful Putnam Business Association.
The Aug. 11 event is the final opportunity to purchase the 2024 Pluck-A-Duck Raffle tickets at stands in Rotary Park, downtown Putnam on Main Street, and the roving photo-worthy Duck Mobile.
Thousands of rubber ducks will be released at our secret duck pond location at noon Aug. 12, swimming happily and then plucked for 110+ fantastic prizes, including the grand prize of a 8000 Watt Generac Generator With Electric Start ($1200 value) donated by P.B. Generators and top cash prize of a $500 VISA Gift Card, sponsored by Byrnes Agency. While this year’s event will not be open to the public, viewers can cheer on their lucky duck during the live broadcast on WINY Radio 1350 AM & 97.1 FM, and the Putnam Business Association’s and WINY Radio’s Facebook pages, powered by Jewett City Savings Bank. The first 2 viewers responding to WINY Radio or the PBA’s Facebook pages correctly identifying the total number of ducks floating in the pond will win a $75 gift card to ANYA restaurant, courtesy of Hevy Electric.
And just when you think it’s over, our final 12 ducks waddling out of the pond will be selected for our “Lame Duck” prizes, sponsored by Davis Place, Hope Lodge Venue, Putnam Spirits and United Services. Plus, one lucky business sponsor will be awarded the Corporate Duck raffle prize of a $750 VISA Gift Card and the business’ name engraved on the Corporate Duck Trophy.
The 2024 Pluck-A-Duck Raffle Event is a major fund-raising campaign that deeply impacts the Putnam Business Association, its 200+ local business members, and provides support to its various community events such as Zombie Fashion Show, The Great Pumpkin Festival, International Day and Fairy & Magic Festival that draw tens-of-thousands of visitors into Connecticut’s “Quiet Corner.”
Again this year, 30 non-profit organizations throughout Windham County also benefit from selling PBA Pluck-A-Duck raffle tickets and retaining a portion from every ticket sold for their worthy cause. These various groups include Access Emergency Shelter/Access Community Action Agency, Bags of Hope CT, Brooklyn Schools PTO, Cub Scouts Pack 43, Danielson Veterans Coffee Hours, Hale YMCA Youth & Family Center, Killingly Girls Softball Team, NAMI Windham County NWC, Natchaug River Young Marines, Northeastern CT Insurance Professionals, Northeastern CT Arts Guild, Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, Nutmeg Acres Wildlife, Opportunity Works CT Inc., PAWS Cat Shelter, PCS Class of 2024/PCS Class 2024 8th Grade NYC Trip, Putnam Arts Council, Putnam Lodge of Elks #574, Putnam Rotary Club, Putnam Schools PTO, Quiet Corner NEMBA, St. James Parochial School, TEEG, Thames Valley Council for Community Action Meals-On-Wheels Program, The Arc Eastern Connecticut, The Sunshine Kids Charity, Tourtellotte Memorial High School, United Services and VFW Auxiliary Post 1523.
Pluck-A-Duck Raffle Tickets can be purchased at these essential non-profit organizations, and local businesses, including WINY Radio (45 Pomfret St., Putnam), Centreville Bank (40 Main St., Putnam; 100 Averill Road, Pomfret; 11 Pratt Road, Plainfield; and 125 Wauregan Road, Danielson), bankHometown (182 Main St., Putnam), Archambault Insurance (143 Providence St., Putnam), Holiday Inn Express (10-12 Johnson St., Auburn), and Woodstock Creamery at Valleyside Farm (210 Child Hill Road, Woodstock), at upcoming community Farmers Markets and events, and online at www.discoverputnam.com/pbarubberduckrace
The Putnam Business Association and our 8,000+ feathered friends extend appreciation to our event sponsors Berkshire Bank, breezeline, Creamery Brook Village, Day Kimball Healthcare, JT’s Appliance, NU-FACE Home Improvements, Putnam Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Kia, Quiet Corner Inn, Tom & Kathy Borner, and also to various local businesses graciously donating major prizes, gift baskets, gift certificates to local retail establishments and restaurants, and more, during such challenging economic times.
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