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Hillbilly Days 2008 - The Race for the Golden Duck -

Hillbilly Days, Lebanon, MO This is the fourth year United Country VIP Realty has "purchased" a duck as part of the annual Hillbilly Days celebration in Lebanon, MO at Bennett Springs State Park.

The festivities always kick off the Thursday before Father's Day. But for us, the real excitement is on Saturday - the judging day for the ducks and then the Race for the Golden Duck.

This year the categories for the ducks were:
    1. Famous cartoon character
    2. Patriotic
    3. Sports celebrity
    4. "Back to the Hills"

A few years ago, our first duck was a St. Louis Cardinal, then we did a patriotic duck and last year, Shrek the Duck.

This year, we took a chance with "Back to the Hills." We really didn't know what that meant - I took it as the "anything goes" category. Our agent, Sandra Speer said she'd tackle our 2008 duck decorating.

Sandra did an awesome job - straw hat, feathers, flannel and jean material. And of course, a United Country patch. The perfect Hillbilly duck in my book.

The kids and I dropped the duck off this morning at the judges table. We missed the actual judging, so I don't know how our duck fared.

We were able to make the "big" event - THE RACE.

Held in a off shoot of the hatchery, we were armed Feed with our trout food, ready to race our duck to victory.

But, it wasn't meant to be. Dorthy the Duck raced past us all to take first place and take home the "Golden Duck."

Our United Country VIP Realty Duck came in last. Dead last. Our dead duck was dead last.

It's all in good fun, with a little healthy competition thrown in.

Until next year....

Duck Race United Country VIP Realty Duck

Duck Race

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Contact Debbie DiFonzo, Broker, United Country VIP Realty, at 417-468-5900 to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Marshfield, Conway, Phillipsburg, Lebanon, Long Lane, or Buffalo, Missouri.

To view all our listings and auctions, visit: www.UCtheOzarks.com

Contact Debbie at: Debbie@ucvip.com

Posted by Debbie DiFonzo - Lebanon, Marshfield, Buffalo Missouri Real Estate on 06/15/2008 11:58 PM

Comments (10)

bennett spring state park, hillbilly days, lebanon mo, family activities

Originally posted at: Living in Missouri Blog: Hillbilly Days 2008 - The Race for the Golden Duck -

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10 Comments on Hillbilly Days 2008 - The Race for the Golden Duck -

JUN

2008

Debbie, It looks like such a fun event....and a creative duck ) I'm sure you had a wonderful time and I enjoyed the photos.

Carole - Hillbilly Days is a tradition here in South Central Missouri. A great family event - food, games, music, art, crafts and of course, the FISH! Glad you enjoyed the photos!

OK, I know that I must be dense and msiing something here... but are these actually real live ducks??? I don't get it! And what is the trout food for?

Steve, I see a road trip in your future! Mark your calendar for Father's Day weekend, 2009

Great questions - we purchase a decoy from our Chamber of Commerce. Cost: $50
I cannot remember what "cause" the money goes to, but to us, that doesn't really matter

Each duck is decorated in one of the four categories. Prizes are awarded.

Then, they race the ducks in the trout hatchery at Bennett Springs State Park. This was our fourth race - we now know to throw the fish food at the butt of the duck. The fish jump up to grab the food, thus pushing your duck towards the finish line!

High tech fun here in Missouri! <G>

JUN

2008

Debbie that sounded so much fun. Should I ever enter a duck race, I'll probably always remember your advice about throwing the fish food at the butt of the duck. Your participation sounds like something that you ought to submit to the United Country magazine.

Debbie... How on earth did I ever miss this event. I'm kicking myself... hard!

This could definitely be a road trip event in the future. It sounds too fun! And how did this manage to escape the attention of the Int'l Olympic Committee as an expansion sport for the Olympics???

Sondra - Glad I could be the source of such wisdom! <G>

JUN

2008

UPDATE: I wasn't able to be there for the judging, so I had to read in the local paper that our duck took first place in the "Back to the Hills" category! Thanks to Sandra Speer for taking on our duck this year!

SEP

2008

This was so much fun to read having went to High School in Lebanon, living there as an adult near Bennett Springs, now in N. California.

We are near Angels Camp, (Frog Town) Home of the Mark Twain Frog Jump held every May.

They have placks lining the sidewalks of the winning frogs name, how far they jumped and the person entering them.

Thanks for sharing your stories and I look forward to visiting next year.

Anita - Thanks for reading and sharing a little about yourself! The Frog Jump sounds like fun - might have to suggest that for next year! We have a turtle race but that's not all that exciting!

Be sure to stop in and say hello when you're in town next year!

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