Mid-Colimbia Duck Race canceled by COVID

TRI-CITIES, Wash.- Uncertainty over what the immediate future looks like in the wake of COVID-19, organizers of the annual Mid-Columbia Duck Race have canceled the event.

“Because of the mandated restrictions, our ability to be in public places selling tickets would be extremely limited. At this time, we have no assurance that we would be able to hold this type of event given the size and proximity of the crowd we typically have in Columbia Park on Race Day. Also, many people and businesses are struggling during this pandemic, so it is probably not the best time to be asking them to buy tickets or donate prizes. All things considered, we felt that cancelling this year’s Race was the appropriate action to take”, according to Rick Routh, Mid-Columbia Duck Race Board chairman.

This marks the first cancellation in the 32-year-year history of the event.

“This was not an easy decision and the Board sought the overall consensus of the six local Rotary clubs and their members before taking this action", Routh added.

Organizers expect to be able to run the event next year.