DELPHOS, Ohio – The Delphos Kiwanis Club’s annual Fourth of July celebration will once again bring fun and community spirit to the town.
The duck races are one of the event’s most anticipated attractions. Businesses, organisations, and the general public can sponsor the chicks for a small fee and have the opportunity to name the ducks. Crowds of all ages gather to watch the feathered competitors waddle to the finish line.
“The community really enjoys the family atmosphere. The children can get in. Mom, dad, grandma, and grandpa are all cheering them on. The ducks move back and forth as the crowd cheers louder. So it’s quite entertaining for everyone involved. At the conclusion of the event, we auction off all of the ducks. So many kids go home happy with ducks, but a lot of unhappy parents,” said Jamey Wisher, co-chair of the Fourth of July festival.
Another highlight of the celebration is the Beyond Expectations baseball game, in which people with disabilities compete and show off their skills. The all-volunteer staff looks forward to the event every year because it creates lasting memories for everyone involved.
“It touches our hearts in ways that are difficult to describe, because this is a group of people, not young or old, but a mix of young and old who have come out to the park. This is the 22nd year that this event has been held, and they come out to the park to share their love of sports during the baseball game. All I have to do is look at their faces, whether they’re spectators or players, and their smiles say it all,” said Rick Miller, a game volunteer.
Following the game, each participant receives a medal in recognition of their efforts and enthusiasm on the field.
