Pluck-a-Duck event is even bigger
PUTNAM — The Putnam Business Association announced the 2023 Pluck-A-Duck Raffle Event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 20 and at noon Aug. 21 — 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 Aug. 20, where attendees will enjoy viewing over 1,000 classic cars, live music and more, including the Kids Zone in Rotary Park, where Bounce Houses, Photo Booth, Bella The Clown, Arts & Crafts Tent, and Face Painting await kids of all ages. New this year is the Celebrity Dunk Tank, where local celebs like WINY Radio’s own Gary O and Putnam Mayor Barney Seney are willing to take the plunge to benefit the Putnam Business Association, as eventgoers will donate a minimum of $5. The three local celebrities that successfully raise the most funds will have a donation made in their name to their preferred charity, from a grateful PBA. Is there a wish that would make you feel “just ducky?” Post your special wish on the Day Kimball Healthcare 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 several PSA art students.
The Aug. 20 event is the final opportunity to purchase the 2023 Pluck-A-Duck Raffle tickets  in Rotary Park, downtown, and the roving Duck Mobile, sponsored by Centreville Bank.
Thousands of rubber ducks will be released at the secret duck pond location at noon Aug. 21 swimming happily and then plucked for 85-plus fantastic prizes, including the grand prize of a 7500 Watt Generac Generator With Electric Start ($1,200 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 two 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 Westminster Tool Company.
The last six ducks waddling out of the pond will be selected for the “Lame Duck” prizes, sponsored by Hope Lodge Venue and New York Pizza Company. 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 2023 Pluck-A-Duck Raffle Event is a major fund-raising campaign that deeply impacts the Putnam Business Association, its 200-plus local business members, and provides support to its various community events such as Zombie Fashion Show, The Great Pumpkin Festival, and Fire & Ice Festival, that draw tens-of-thousands of visitors into Connecticut’s “Quiet Corner.”  
Again this year, 27 non-profit organizations will also benefit from selling 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, Danielson Veterans Coffee Hours, Hale YMCA Youth & Family Center, Killingly Boys Soccer Team, NAMI Windham County NWC, Natchaug River Young Marines, NEIP, Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, Northeastern CT Arts Guild, Nutmeg Acres Wildlife, Opportunity Works CT Inc., PAWS Cat Shelter, PCS Cass of 2024/PCS Class 2024 8th Grade DC Trip, Putnam Lions Club, Putnam Little League, Putnam Lodge of Elks #574, Putnam Rotary Club, Quiet Corner NEMBA, TEEG, Thames Valley Council for Community Action Meals-On-Wheels Program, The Arc Eastern Connecticut, The Last Green Valley, The Matt Alsfeld Memorial Fund and Tourtellotte Memorial High School.  Pluck-A-Duck Raffle Tickets can be purchased at: WINY Radio, Centreville Bank (40 Main Street. Putnam; 100 Averill Road, Pomfret; 11 Pratt Road, Plainfield & 125 Wauregan Road, Danielson), bankHometown (182 Main Street, Putnam), Archambault Insurance (143 Providence St., Putnam), Brooklyns County View Restaurant (170 South St.), 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.

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