Paul Szmal: FLX Morning continues now at 8.40. One of the highlights of Memorial Day weekend happens in the city of Auburn. It is the annual Duck Derby and to talk about that, Melissa Panik joins us here on the program. Good morning, Melissa. How are you this morning?
Melissa Panek: Good morning. I'm doing really well. Tell me a little bit about the history of the Duck Derby. I know people in Auburn, when you say Duck Derby, they automatically know what you're talking about, but from outside the area, people may not be familiar with what this is all about.
Paul Szmal: Yep. The Duck Derby is something that's been going, was going on for years. Kiwanis Club was the one locally who would do it and donate to their different programming. And then after a brief hiatus, Tomato Fest, along with the Hibernians and Onondaga Coach were able to bring back this tradition that we thought might've kind of died along with COVID. But between our three groups, we were able to bring it back and we have a great time trying to sell tickets. They're $5 a piece. And then there are 10 prizes for everyone. Normally our ducks get put into the water and they race down the Oasco River, right by Wegmans and come out by the police station. And then what's left over after the prizes goes to local charities, our food pantries, and helps support the community across Cuyahoga County.
The only difference is this year, because of the high water levels on the Oasco River, we're actually not going to be placing the ducks in the water.
Melissa Panek: Correct. So this year, the rain is still going. It's rainy again today. And for everyone's safety, we've chosen to, instead of canceling the event, we're going to do a drawing for helping us with some equipment so we can do a big raffle drawing. And we will draw the prizes in order of first through ninth place. And then our last place duck, who is also always a winner. And that will help us keep the tradition going as opposed to canceling it due to all the rainy weather.
Paul Szmal: And I would assume then that the plan for 2026 is full speed ahead of regular format, the usual?
Melissa Panek: At this point in time, yes. As this is a longstanding tradition, we want to keep it going. But we are also always open to evolving and building on this event to keep it growing with our community and with the times.
Paul Szmal: We're talking with Melissa Panik here on FLX Morning about the annual Duck Derby in the city of Auburn. So how many people, how many volunteers does it take to actually pull something like this together?
Melissa Panek: It takes quite a few. I mean, it starts off with the selling of tickets. And we are so lucky to have a bunch of core group members among the three groups that go out to the different communities around all of Cuyahoga County to sell the tickets. And then the day of usually takes around six to 10 to set up in the water when we're working in releasing the ducks. And then we usually have about 10 to 15 volunteers in the water because once those winning ducks come through and get gated up in their box and go off to be announced, we have to then get about 4,000 to 6,000 ducks, depending on the year, out of the water.
Paul Szmal: Right, right. Yeah. If you've never seen this before, and hopefully, like we're saying, we'll be able to go back to the regular format for this next year. But if you've never seen it before, just the sight of all these things flowing down the river is actually pretty awesome.
Melissa Panek: It's quite fun and everyone gets a good kick out of it. We wanted to make sure we don't lose that duck feeling since the water has made the water levels so high this year. So we will have duck-themed little games for kids to come down and play at the Marketplace Plaza down near the police station in front of the Knights of Columbus in the park. So we're still keeping the duck theme going strong, we're just adapting for the weather.
Paul Szmal: Now, will the drawing be taking place down there as well?
Melissa Panek: Yep, the drawing will take place at 2.30. We will be selling tickets right through the Memorial Day Parade, right up until about 2 o'clock to give us time to prep and get ready. And we hope everyone comes out. And even though the ducks aren't in the water, we really hope we can still have a fun experience and raise awareness and funds for our local food pantries across Cucar County.
Paul Szmal: Yeah, this is always for a great cause every year for the annual Duck Derby, glad to have it back. Let's shift gears a little bit because TomatoFest has undergone some changes, mainly a venue change for 2025.
Melissa Panek: Yes, so this is our 40th year. We're very excited that TomatoFest has been able to help support the food pantries across Cucar County for the last 40 years. And with that, we wanted to have some space to grow and to try some new things. So we are moving from downtown Auburn out to the Finger Lakes Mall, which we also feel helps give us a more countywide location, a little more accessible to other parts of the county than right downtown. It expands our parking areas and will allow for us to bring in some really great food and craft vendors along with our lineup of musicians this year.
Paul Szmal: Yeah. And well, it's weatherproof. That's probably the first and probably the first and foremost thing that I could think of with the way the weather has been this year. And hopefully the rest of the summer doesn't continue like it. But just in case that the weekend of TomatoFest, if there's weather outside, it won't affect the activities inside.
Melissa Panek: Correct. So we are planning to be outside as long as we have sun, but if it does rain, we will be able to move everything inside and carry on as if nothing was going on outside in the rain.
Paul Szmal: Well, perfect. Perfect. Would any entertainment lined up for this year's edition yet or is it too early to talk about that?
Melissa Panek: They're finalizing contracts. And if you go to TomatoFestCNY.org in the next month or so, you should see our musicians lined up and announced along with our Facebook page.
Paul Szmal: Fantastic. And the date again for TomatoFest this year so people can mark it on the calendars?
Melissa Panek: September 6th from 11 to 7.
Paul Szmal: Oh, so a single a single day this year.
Melissa Panek: We've been a single day since probably the last 10 years. Maybe one Saturday and then go on.
Paul Szmal: All right. All right. And as you mentioned, TomatoFest, much like the Duck Derby, is benefiting the local food pantries in Cuyahoga County. And I know those food pantries, it doesn't matter what time of the year it is. There's always a demand. There's always a need for them to be able to provide for the folks that are participating in those food pantries.
Melissa Panek: Yes. With TomatoFest, our main goal is we have a food pantry drive that we will be accepting donations at, along with different places where you can make donations either digitally or we'll have little collection plates out, too, so that we can get those funds to them or get them the product they need to put on their shelves.
Paul Szmal: And let's just recap quickly for the Duck Derby. What time will the drawing be on Memorial Day?
Melissa Panek: 2.30.
Paul Szmal: 2.30. And the activities will be going on there at the marketplace?
Melissa Panek: Yep. Marketplace. Once the parade is finished, we'll have the activity set up and ready to go. So when everyone is done down at the memorial, they can come back up, hang out, buy some tickets, enjoy whatever festivities Marketplace has going on and play some duck games.
Paul Szmal: All right. Fantastic. Thank you so much, Melissa. We appreciate the info.
Melissa Panek: Thank you so much for having me.
Paul Szmal: All right. It is 8.48 on FLX morning.
