The ducks returned to the Anchor River on Saturday, as part of the Virl “Pa” Haga VFW Post 10221’s weekend of Fourth of July celebrations.

These weren’t normal ducks that you might expect to see on a river, however.

Event organizers poured tubs of brightly colored plastic ducks over the Anchor River Bridge and monitored the short race downstream. The ducks were netted at the finish line and checked for the number written with a black marker on the bottom to evaluate whose duck came in first, second or third place in each color category.

Yellow, pink and blue ducks were available for purchase for $2, $5 and $10 respectively from local Anchor Point businesses starting June 8 through July 5. First-, second- and third-place race winners for each color were eligible for monetary prizes, drawn from a percentage of the sales for each color of duck.

In addition to being a fun event for families and visitors, the annual duck race serves as a fundraiser for the VFW.

According to VFW canteen manager Heidi Adams, all funds raised after the prize payouts “goes right back in to the community.”

“These proceeds are used to fund the activities, like food for the BBQ and purchasing more ducks, or other events throughout the year like our huge Thanksgiving dinner we put on, the Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets we provide to families in need, New Year’s Eve fireworks (and) our Easter celebration,” Adams wrote to Homer News. “All funds we raise from our events always go right back in to the community and our veterans!”

Race Results

Yellow Ducks

First Place: Randy Kimpton, $300

Second Place: Chuck Collins, $200

Third Place: Kirk & Brooke Herrick, $100

Pink Ducks

First Place: Khristy Mertzwiler, $457.50

Second Place: Paul Finney, $305

Third Place: Larry Block, $151.50

Blue Ducks

First Place: Wakeen Brown, $660

Second Place: Nikki Barringer, $440

Third Place: Dixie Dockweiler, $220

VFW Post 10221 commander Chuck Collins empties a tub of pink ducks over the Anchor River Bridge during the third annual Anchor River Duck Races on Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Spectators gather on the riverbank near the finish line during the third annual Anchor River Duck Races on Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Volunteers catch drifting ducks with nets at the finish line during the third annual Anchor River Duck Races on Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Volunteers catch drifting ducks with nets at the finish line and check for the winning numbers during the third annual Anchor River Duck Races on Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)