Endcliffe Park’s “spectacular” duck race will return for another year this Easter Monday.
On 21 April, Friends of the Porter Valley will be releasing 2,500 plastic ducks into the River Porter to raise money for a pétanque court for Bingham Park.
The pétanque court will replace an unused bowling green, revitalising the area and making it more accessible for people of all ages to play sports.
Pétanque is also known by some people as boules.
Professor Glynis Jones, 75, a retired lecturer at the University of Sheffield and committee member of the Friends of the Porter Valley said the event is now far more about the local community coming together rather than the fundraising activity it started out as.
She said: “The highlight of the event, as most people see it, is the start, because the launch is quite spectacular.
“I just like the community atmosphere. I love the atmosphere, especially if it’s a nice day.
“There’s people everywhere and they’re enjoying themselves. There’s children, their families, there are all kinds of people and I just think that’s so exciting to be a part of.”
Professor Jones said that this year’s event has had more interest than expected.
She said that this year around 30 stalls will be set up in Endcliffe Park at the time of the race with various activities and products, including a fairground and crafts.
The event first began after Friends of the Porter Valley reused Tapton School’s race ducks in Endcliffe Park to help in restoring Shepherd Wheel, which has now been running for over 10 years.
Since then, developments have been introduced to improve the duck race.
A drop tower and a better finish line – made with a net and a tube to catch the first 40 winning ducks – were built for the event and an increasing number of ducks being sold online, with some racing ducks having up to four sponsors.
In past races more than 50 people signed up to volunteer to help and Professor Glynis said the event couldn’t be done with just “one or two people”.
The Friends of the Porter Valley and Bingham Park Community Group are encouraging people to volunteer at the duck race.
