It's time to get quacking for the Vernon Lions Club.

The service club's fourth annual Duck Race and Family Day goes Saturday, June 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Polson Park.

The duck race features thousands of rubber ducks released into Vernon Creek near the Japanese pagoda at the south end of Polson Park at 1 p.m. The ducks will float down the creek toward the area opposite the band shell at the north end, and the first duck to cross the finish line is declared the winner, as is the person who 'adopted' the lucky duck.

Judges for the big race are Vernon Fire Rescue Services' Lt. Allyson Reich and Vernon North Okanagan RCMP Insp. Blake McLeod. Members of the Kalamalka Fly Fishermen will be on hand to retrieve the ducks at the finish line and RCMP volunteers will be keeping children out of the creek and the ducks in.  

The Vernon Lions Club has been selling tickets to adopt ducks for the race at local grocery stores, and only have four books of tickets left. Lions Club members will be at the Village Green Centre Save-On-Foods grocery store Friday, June 7, starting at 10 a.m., and will be there until either 4 p.m. or all of the tickets have been sold.

"We so appreciate the welcome we have received from the staff at Safeway, Superstore, Save-On Village Green, Save-On Polson, FreshCo, Butcher Boys, Buy Low and the (Vernon) Farmer鈥檚 Market," said Lions Club spokesperson Sharon Cain. "Their generosity of space for us to sell tickets has made it possible for us to sell nearly all 4,000 tickets. Thank you to this wonderful community for your support."

Tickets are $5.

The event includes something for all ages.

Prior to the race, B.C. & and Alberta Guide Dogs instructors will be on-site to host a Blind Fold Walk, which helps participants experience what it would be like to be blind. 

A barbecue lunch can be purchased throughout the day. There will be entertainment provided by the Vernon Community Band, the Sweet Adeline singers and the Kalamalka Pipe Band. There will be games for children to play provided by Protective Services and sponsors who have booths at the event will also have something to do and see for everyone.

"With the help of these wonderful sponsors, the Vernon Lions Club is able to place Autism Service Dogs with families in Vernon," said Cain, listing off the more than a dozen sponsors.