Viking Boat Race - Press Room

Anyone interested in helping with the organisation of next year's Viking boat races, five mile challenge run or get involved with the Killyleagh Social Partnership, is asked to contact Mr.  Huddleston, telephone (028) 4482 8114.

If there is anyone who feels they can help by providing the sponsorship, whatever the size - contact Tony Davies - (028) 4482 1461 or email killyboat@focused.ie

Duck alert as festival seeks help

Down Recorder, Wednesday 18 May, 2005

The organising committee of the Killyleagh Viking boat festival have launched an urgent appeal for Dick the Duck to come forward.

The Killyleagh festival, which kicks off next weekend, is largely self financing and organisers are always looking ways to raise funds. This year, they have come up with the idea of a duck race to close the annual festival.

Organisers are planning to launch 600 plastic ducks into the Dibney River and are hoping they will arrive at the harbour area for the final prize ceremony.

To help publicise this event, the organisers are looking for someone to dress up as Dick the Duck, a larger than life character. Organisers say at the moment, they have neither the costume nor the person to wear it.

"We would like to make a major role for the right duck who would help lead the parade, launch the race and award the prizes," explained John Huddleston.

"We are appealing to local schools to join in the event as we believe they could use the parade, which takes place before the annual boat race, as a sponsored walk to raise money, while at the same time making this the most colourful parade in Killyleagh's history."

Anyone who believes they can help with either of the forthcoming events or act as marshals, is asked to contact organisers, telephone (028) 4482 1461 during office hours or by e-mail to killyboat@slbc.ie