MILTON, Del. - The Celebration on the Broadkill kicked off Saturday morning in Milton.
The event consists of three components. Bargains on the Broadkill included local businesses and artisans selling their products. Then Irish Eyes sponsored the 24th Annual Broadkill River Canoe and Kayak Race. Lastly, the Great Duck Race saw many participants on the water.
The co-owner of Irish Eyes in Milton, Charlene Jones, said this day is one of unity for Milton.
"It's a collaboration of the town, so you have all the mercantile, you have the ice cream shops, you have the museum, so there are so many other businesses in town that everybody can walk to and enjoy after coming to this celebration," said Jones.
Karen Falk, the executive director of the Milton Chamber of Commerce, said this celebration has been a great source of revenue for the town's marketing and promotions needs.
"I think it really makes our town unique, that we have so many different entities that come together for a great cause," Falk said.
But for many the biggest draw is the Great Duck Race, where over 1000 ducks were bought, numbers were placed on each duck and then they were thrown into the Broadkill River to race.
25 ducks were selected and each person who purchased a winner received a cash prize ranging from $25 to $500. CoastTV's Mallory Metzner picked the winning ducks out of the river this year. A list of winners and prizes can be found on the Milton Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
Jones said this celebration is not just for the Milton community, but all who want to join in the tradition.
"It's like a 'welcome home' and I want everyone to come back for everything that we do here, from the theater to events in the park, music in the park," Jones said. "We have so much going on and if they haven't been here, they're missing out."
All the proceeds from the Celebration on the Broadkill go back into the Milton community. The Irish Eyes Kayak Race proceeds go to the Irish Eyes Foundation, which benefits the Milton Fire Department and other charities. Proceeds from Bargains on the Broadkill and the Great Duck Race go to the Milton Chamber of Commerce in Milton.