Stampede just ducky
And the race is on, and here come ducks up the backstretch, ummmm
by April Ozuna, reporter

    More than 5,000 ducks will float down the Trinity River in a race to cross the finish line, Sunday, Sept. 22, at 2:30 p.m.

   The fund-raising event for student scholarships will be at Trinity Park between the Lancaster Avenue and 7th Street bridges.

   Prior to and during the event, participants may adopt a duck starting at $5 each, $20 for a quack pack and $100 for a flock (25 ducks). Public adoptions are available at all TCC campus student activities offices, JP Morgan Chase and Bank One locations or on the Web at www.tccd.net/ducks.

   Each completed form will have a number that corresponds to one of the over 5,000 ducks that will float down the river. Prizes will be given for the winning ducks.

   The Duck Stampede, a free festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., is a family event, welcoming individuals of all ages, whether they are students or not.

   Throughout the day, guests can visit booths sponsored by various campus departments.

   Each of the four campuses will have a 40x40 tent where they will showcase various departments and organizations on their campus. Under each tent, the campus will also be featuring entertainment, master classes and interactive demonstrations throughout the day.

   Festival visitors can also visit arts and crafts booths.

   Entertainment will include the South Campus Jazz Ensemble, SE Madrigal Singers, SE Jazz Singers, NW Campus Dance Company, NE guitar faculty, NE Country Strings, NE Strings Plus and NE Regal Opera.

   The Grand Prize for the winning duck is $1000 cash. Local vendors are providing door prizes for remaining winners, with a minimum $25 value.

   Duck Stampede winners will be announced, but need not be present to win. Also, $1500 in TCC scholarships will be given away.

   The event is sponsored by the Paulos Foundation, the Coca Cola Company and Tampico Products.

   A maximum of 10,000 ducks will be entered into the race. Successful duck races around the world generating ancillary funds have raised from $100,000 to $7.5 million in the past. TCC has raised $3,600 so far from duck donations.

   Parking will be in Farrington Field, off of University Drive, south of 7th Street. For more information, visit the Duck Stampede’s Web site, at www.tccd.net/ducks or contact the student activities office on any campus.

   Proceeds from the stampede will directly support the students at TCC. The Tarrant County College Foundation is embarking upon a mission to give students scholarship support to excel and achieve, according to the Tarrant County College Foundation brochure.

   Through financial assistance, promising students have the opportunity to build a better future for themselves and their families.

   The Tarrant County College Foundation accepts and manages gifts from individuals, companies and foundations.

   The board of directors consists of former students, friends, community volunteers, retirees, students, staff and faculty

   Approximately one out of every 19 Tarrant County residents will take at least one class at TCC each year.

   With a population of approximately 1.5 million, Tarrant County continues to grow with an estimated 3 percent annual growth rate, making it one of the fastest-growing urban counties in the United States today.

   Also, approximately one of every five graduating high school seniors from Tarrant County public high schools will attend TCC the following fall.