How did that song go? Clowns to the left of us, jokers to the right – and in the middle a flock of yellow ducks racing down the San Francisco River…!?!
But there is more to this story than meets the joyful noise created by duck herders assisting stranded ducks caught on shallow out streams or by overhanging tree branches. It is the true exercise of family fun on a Saturday devoted (at least in Clifton, Az) to a river clean-up and the annual Big Quack duck race.
By now most people have heard or participated in the periodic river clean up efforts of the Gila Watershed Partnership GWP along the banks and numerous picnic locations of the San Francisco River. While the amount of debris picked up at these events continues to decline, there are still those thoughtless few who leave behind their trash after playing in and around the river. These unsightly discards are the focus of the clean up so the rest of us can frolic without the sights of discarded beer cans, food wrappers and paper trash left behind by litterers.
Come Saturday morning, September 6 at 8 am at the ramada nearest the ballfield at Riverside Park, next door o the Clifton RV Park along the San Francisco River, come and enjoy a few breakfast snacks before heading out to various points along the San Francisco River.
Yes, early clean-up volunteers will be treated to morning snacks provided by Philip and Margaret Ronnerud who annually help promote and organize this event with the GWP and then off to the wilderness to collect trash.
By noon it is time to enjoy a lunch provided by GWP to satisfy hunger and thirst. Rest up a bit and then at 1 pm get ready to watch hundreds of little yellow ducks hit the water near the Zorrilla Bridge/Clifton Train Depot area as they race towards the finish line down by Sidebottom Park on Park Avenue near the Railroad and vehicular bridges on highway 191. A great place to watch the little critters as they cross the finish line to determine the winners.
A day of family fun, food and recreation that the Greenlee Tourism Association is always happy to co-sponsor with GWP. We hope to see you there!