8/15/02
GADR Belt Buckle
For Immediate Release
Contact:  Dave Johnson/ dave@swnm.com /(505) 544-3483 469-4650

(Deming)--One tradition that will continue at the 23rd Annual Great
American Duck Race this year is the annual belt buckle raffle.
   Every year since 1980, Indian Craftsman Dennis Eaglestar of Deming
has created a unique belt buckle depicting the annual event's logo.
   This year the buckle will feature a duck on a water slide.  The
logo was selected after the popularity of the new water race track
in 2001.  This year the water track will be expanded to eight lanes,
and the races, dedicated to one of the original founders, Harold
Cousland, will carry the theme "Waves of Fun".
   The belt buckle is valued in the neighborhood of $1000, and features
a sterling silver background, with turquoise, mother of pearl, 
jet, pipestone and sugilite.   In addition, the same raffle ticket
will be used for a second and third place drawing for a bolo tie and
a turquoise, coral and mother of pearl ring.
   Tickets are $10, and only 100 tickets will be sold.  Buy tickets in
Deming at the Chamber of Commerce, Desert Winds Magazine, Southwestern 
New Mexico On-Line and at McKinley Duck Downs both Saturday and Sunday, 
August 24-25.
   The drawing will be just before the finals of the Great American
Duck Race Sunday afternoon, August 25, 2002.  You need not be present 
to win.
   You can see this handcrafted wonder at our website at 
www.demingduckrace.com, or at Southwestern New Mexico On-Line at 202
South Diamond in Deming.
   The Great American Duck Race is August 22-25 in Deming.  Events
include hot air balloons, parade, chile cookoff, vendors, softball
tournament, horseshoe and washers, dances, live duck races and much
more.
   For more information call toll free 888 345-1125, or visit our
website at www.demingduckrace.com.
   The Great American Duck Race is sponsored in part by Duke Energy
North America.