An afternoon of fun on Sunday, July 4, turned quickly to one of chaos for the United Way of Cape May County, when four celebrity rubber ducks went missing on Mariner’s Landing Pier, just weeks before the annual Rubber Ducky Regatta.
The ducks, who are in training for the regatta, were visiting the Boardwalk to get a sneak peak of the Lazy River in Raging Water’s Water Park, where crowds of ducky fans will gather on Aug. 15 to watch thousands of rubber ducks race for prizes in the United Way’s biggest fundraising event.
United Way staff became alarmed, however, when the ducks failed to return to ducky headquarters by their 8 p.m. curfew.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time the gullible rubber duckies have fallen victim to fowl play. Occasionally, the pressure of preparing for the big race gets to them, and they feel the need to duck out for a while.
This time, however, investigators believe that the duckies may have just chickened out. A paparazzi of duck fans last spotted the ducks in front of Morey’s new Ghost Ship attraction at about 6 p.m. on Sunday. Witnesses reported that the ducks seemed to be planning on entering the creepy craft, but their feathers were obviously ruffled.
“A little bird told me they were terrified of becoming dead ducks,” Detective Drake Hunter, said, “but they didn’t want to be seen as chickens. I don’t blame them for flying the coop. Did you hear what happens to birds in the galley of that boat?”
Hunter said he has already received clues to one duck’s whereabouts, but he needs your help to find her. Study the picture and letter from Suzy Spa Duck, and if you think you have located her, email your tip to flewthecoop@uwcmc.org before noon, Saturday, July 17. Please include your name, hometown, phone number and a description and location of the duck’s hiding place to be eligible to win. A winner will be randomly selected each week from all correct entries and announced here next week.
Here’s the clue:
Dear ducky fans,
I know you expect fearlessness from me, but to be honest, that ship razzled my nerves and sent them aflutter. Please don’t snicker. I’ve settled into a sweet spot now, and I’m feeling like a lucky ducky to have landed here. Just a few blocks from that vile sea vessel is my rainbow world of bursting stars and lifesavers. Stop by for a visit, and for just 25 cents you could be lucky, too. If not, you could get your sugar daddy to treat you to a Dilly Bar next door. Find me if you can.Hugs and Kisses,
Spa Duck Sal
