The Second Annual Rubber Duckie River Race will be held at the Blue Ridge Barbecue & Music Festival this Friday and Saturday. This event, with a total purse of $1,500, pits hearty, yellow rubber ducks against the mighty Pacolet River in a race (with the help of volunteer Duck Herders) to the finish somewhere near the banks of Hog Heaven all in the name of good fun for a worthy cause. This years proceeds help support Harmon Field Youth Sports.

The event is sponsored by Service Master of Polk/Spartanburg.

Brian Jones, AVP of Macon Bank this years Duckie Chairman, said there are a few changes in the way the event will be staged this year.

We plan to conduct one race in the late afternoon each day. Fridays winner gets $350, second place gets $100 and third takes home $50. The top 25 finishers Friday are automatically entered in Saturdays event. On Saturday, first place earns $750, second place gets $200 and third place gets $50.

Last years chairman, Bill Crowell, set the tone for the event by asking everyone he met, What does the Q in BBQ stand for? The answer, of course, is quack!

Tickets for duckies are available at the festival on both Friday and Saturday.

The Blue Ridge Barbecue & Music Festival also includes live music, a Kids Fun Park with carnival rides and games and, of course, outstanding barbecue with all the trimmings. Gates open at 3 p.m. on Friday and at 10 a.m. on Saturday, closing at 11 p.m. both nights. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. Admission includes shuttle parking and all live entertainment. On Friday, seniors receive a two-for-the-price-of-one discount all day, and kids can have unlimited rides for a discounted price from 3 until 7 p.m. Visit www.BlueRidgeBBQFestival.com for more information and to get a coupon good for $1.00 off Fridays admission.

The Blue Ridge Barbecue & Music Festival is conducted annually under the auspices of the Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce. Some of the proceeds from the festival help support chamber operations and any additional funds go to the chamber foundation to be returned to the community through grants to a variety of programs and projects throughout the county.