The weather could not have been better last Friday and Saturday for the 14th annual Seneca River Days. As usual, the fireworks sponsored by Hudson & Mowins were spectacular and entertainment by Snakes N Stuff, Doug Rougeux with his bubbles and the Jackman Twins with balloons and juggling were greatly enjoyed by the kids and their parents Friday evening. Door prizes throughout the evening were also a big hit with the final prize of a bicycle donated by HSBC won by Tony Thibault of Baldwinsville Saturday morning dawned with sunny skies and great enthusiasm by the Rotary Club members. The day began with a 5K Run won by Adam Pacheck of Baldwinsville with a time of 18 minutes and 9.21 seconds. Kevin VanBoden captured second place with a time 18 minutes and 28.43 seconds. There were 32 runners in all and the Rotary Club looks forward to establishing the run as a yearly event. At 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., the wonderful Neptune Water Ski Club entertained everyone.
The “Anything That Floats” contest, one of the favorite events of the day, began at 2 p.m. with seven entering contestants. This year’s winner was HMS Pitiful with Captain Cynthia Mead and crew Steven Festenstein. Best design was won by Book ’em Danno, with Captain Bob Scherfling and crew Dennis Sawyer, Brian Smiley and Tony Saraceni. Most rugged was won by The Aunt Sea with Delores Rubenau. Best use of noodles was won by Navy Wave with captain Patricia Gargan — 76 year old and a former Navy Wave was tied for fourth place with Go Slow captain Mo Gargan “1/2 fast.” Number six was Mega Ladon with Brian Spadaro in “Missing in action” and number seven was Yellow Submarine with Weichert Reality captain Libby McKittrick and crew Stepen Lasardo, also called “most disastrous.” The big event of the day, which everyone was waiting for, was the Duck Race. At 4 p.m., all the purchased plastic ducks were dropped into the Seneca River. The first duck to arrive at the finish line was owned by Glynis Clark who won $2,000 (donated by the Baldwinsville Rotary Club); Anne Blair came in second place winning $1,000 (donated by Honda City) and the third place prize of $500 was won by Robert Bitz (prize was donated by Falardeau Funeral Home). The Rotary Club of Baldwinsville would like to thank our Corporate Sponsors. They were M& T Bank, Hudson & Mowins and Honda City. In addition, the Rotary Club would like to also extend a very big thank you to the village of Baldwinsville and the village police department, without whom the event would not have been possible.