The Columbus Electric Co-Op Tournament of Ducks Parade Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2024
Contact: Tarcia Rebeiz
(575) 567-3928
[email protected]
Deming, NM - The Great American Duck Race is celebrating its 45th Anniversary this year and it’s going to be bigger and better than ever including the Columbus Electric Co-Op Tournament of Ducks Parade. Join the fun and enter your float, car, truck, bike or ATV to Race Through the Stars in downtown Deming, NM. Don’t forget to incorporate the theme of Hula Duck and try to win 1st place.
The Duck Race Committee is proud to announce Joe “Butter” Milo and Jim Reedy as the Grand Marshalls for this year’s parade.
Every great tradition starts with a simple idea, and in Deming, New Mexico, that idea was born over casual conversations at the Grand Motor Inn Lounge. It all began with a group of friends, including Joe “Butter” Milo and Jim Reedy; who will share in being honored as the 2024 Tournament of Ducks Parade Grand Marshals. Jim and Butter wanted to create something special for their community, an event that would bring everyone together and put small town Deming on the map. With ponds full of ducks scattered across the local farms, the group decided on something unique and thus The Great American Duck Races were born.
The idea started small but quickly grew, thanks to the combined efforts of a group of enthusiastic and creative individuals. Alongside Jim and Butter, the founding team included names like Harel Cosland from the local newspaper, ex-police officer and promoter Steve Marlow, artist Bill McKinley, Bernie Green, and Jim Worthen, who handled the barbecue. Butter's first major contribution was printing promotional materials for the event, as he owned a print shop in town. The group decided the perfect date was last weekend of August for the races, strategically avoiding conflicts with school schedules, holidays, or the local fair.
Before the event could begin they would need a track and entrusted Jim Reedy with the task of building the racetrack. Partnering with the local railroad, they constructed a 17-foot long track, giving the ducks a 16-foot stretch to race. Though they originally anticipated only six entries, by race day, over 50 ducks were ready to compete. Jim, who also judged the races, recalled expecting the ducks to waddle leisurely down the track, only to watch them bolt forward in a surprisingly competitive display!
The very first duck race was a hit, and the event continued to grow each year. Butter, Jim, and their friends had sparked something much bigger than they anticipated. A few of the founders wives organized the first pageant at the fairgrounds, while Butter took on more responsibilities, such as overseeing the vendors. Butter carefully arranged how many of each type of vendor would be allowed and strategically placed them around the event.
As the races proceeded every year, they introduced the parade and hot air balloons, creating even more excitement for the community. Butter sent out promotional packets to newspapers and radio stations, including t-shirts, entries for the duck race, the outhouse race, and the tortilla toss, along with pictures from the previous year. Butter was always full of ideas, and in the third year, he introduced the famous Outhouse Races, which were held downtown to draw people to the area after the duck races, with the help of Mainstreet director at the time, Dona Irwin. Butter would go on to run the outhouse races for 33 years. Butter also introduced the Tortilla Toss, adding even more fun to the festivities.
As the races gained traction, people from around the world began to take notice. Jim recalls receiving calls from as far as China and Japan to inquire about the event, and the Associated Press helped spread the word with news stories that drew in global curiosity. "What was this duck race?" people wondered. The answer was simple: it was a celebration of community, fun, and a little bit of friendly competition.
"Before, you used to enter your own ducks into the race," Jim recalls fondly. One of the more colorful characters from those early races was a gentleman named Robert Duck—a fitting name for a duck racer if ever there was one. Robert won year after year, his ducks always crossing the finish line first. One year, Robert found himself short a participant, and he offered to teach Jim how to race a duck properly. From then on, Robert dedicated himself to training ducks and showing others the secret to a successful race, which helped even more people join in the fun.
The original committee, including Jim and Butter stayed involved in the event for years, ensuring its continued success. After years of dedicated involvement, Jim and Butter stepped back from actively organizing the races. Jim and his wife Barbara still attend every year. Butter, meanwhile, continues to be amazed at how far the races have come. "For me," Butter said, "I can marvel and thank all the committees that contributed to the duck race. One of the best NM state events. Proud to be a part of it."
From those first conversations at the Grand Motor Inn Lounge to the international phenomenon the Duck Race has become, Jim Reedy, Joe “Butter” Milo, and their friends built a legacy that continues to draw crowds from near and far. The Duck Race isn’t just about the fast ducks, it’s about the heart and spirit of a community coming together to create something truly special and unforgettable.
The 45th Annual Great American Duck Races kicks off Thursday, August 22nd with the Bravo Mic Duck Royalty Pageant at the DHS Auditorium and wraps up Sunday, August 25th with the final duck races being held around 3 p.m. at the Luna County Courthouse Park.
For a full schedule and details, visit demingduckrace.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2024
Contact: Tarcia Rebeiz
(575) 567-3928
[email protected]
Deming, NM - The Great American Duck Race is celebrating its 45th Anniversary this year and it’s going to be bigger and better than ever including the Columbus Electric Co-Op Tournament of Ducks Parade. Join the fun and enter your float, car, truck, bike or ATV to Race Through the Stars in downtown Deming, NM. Don’t forget to incorporate the theme of Hula Duck and try to win 1st place.
The Duck Race Committee is proud to announce Joe “Butter” Milo and Jim Reedy as the Grand Marshalls for this year’s parade.
Every great tradition starts with a simple idea, and in Deming, New Mexico, that idea was born over casual conversations at the Grand Motor Inn Lounge. It all began with a group of friends, including Joe “Butter” Milo and Jim Reedy; who will share in being honored as the 2024 Tournament of Ducks Parade Grand Marshals. Jim and Butter wanted to create something special for their community, an event that would bring everyone together and put small town Deming on the map. With ponds full of ducks scattered across the local farms, the group decided on something unique and thus The Great American Duck Races were born.
The idea started small but quickly grew, thanks to the combined efforts of a group of enthusiastic and creative individuals. Alongside Jim and Butter, the founding team included names like Harel Cosland from the local newspaper, ex-police officer and promoter Steve Marlow, artist Bill McKinley, Bernie Green, and Jim Worthen, who handled the barbecue. Butter's first major contribution was printing promotional materials for the event, as he owned a print shop in town. The group decided the perfect date was last weekend of August for the races, strategically avoiding conflicts with school schedules, holidays, or the local fair.
Before the event could begin they would need a track and entrusted Jim Reedy with the task of building the racetrack. Partnering with the local railroad, they constructed a 17-foot long track, giving the ducks a 16-foot stretch to race. Though they originally anticipated only six entries, by race day, over 50 ducks were ready to compete. Jim, who also judged the races, recalled expecting the ducks to waddle leisurely down the track, only to watch them bolt forward in a surprisingly competitive display!
The very first duck race was a hit, and the event continued to grow each year. Butter, Jim, and their friends had sparked something much bigger than they anticipated. A few of the founders wives organized the first pageant at the fairgrounds, while Butter took on more responsibilities, such as overseeing the vendors. Butter carefully arranged how many of each type of vendor would be allowed and strategically placed them around the event.
As the races proceeded every year, they introduced the parade and hot air balloons, creating even more excitement for the community. Butter sent out promotional packets to newspapers and radio stations, including t-shirts, entries for the duck race, the outhouse race, and the tortilla toss, along with pictures from the previous year. Butter was always full of ideas, and in the third year, he introduced the famous Outhouse Races, which were held downtown to draw people to the area after the duck races, with the help of Mainstreet director at the time, Dona Irwin. Butter would go on to run the outhouse races for 33 years. Butter also introduced the Tortilla Toss, adding even more fun to the festivities.
As the races gained traction, people from around the world began to take notice. Jim recalls receiving calls from as far as China and Japan to inquire about the event, and the Associated Press helped spread the word with news stories that drew in global curiosity. "What was this duck race?" people wondered. The answer was simple: it was a celebration of community, fun, and a little bit of friendly competition.
"Before, you used to enter your own ducks into the race," Jim recalls fondly. One of the more colorful characters from those early races was a gentleman named Robert Duck—a fitting name for a duck racer if ever there was one. Robert won year after year, his ducks always crossing the finish line first. One year, Robert found himself short a participant, and he offered to teach Jim how to race a duck properly. From then on, Robert dedicated himself to training ducks and showing others the secret to a successful race, which helped even more people join in the fun.
The original committee, including Jim and Butter stayed involved in the event for years, ensuring its continued success. After years of dedicated involvement, Jim and Butter stepped back from actively organizing the races. Jim and his wife Barbara still attend every year. Butter, meanwhile, continues to be amazed at how far the races have come. "For me," Butter said, "I can marvel and thank all the committees that contributed to the duck race. One of the best NM state events. Proud to be a part of it."
From those first conversations at the Grand Motor Inn Lounge to the international phenomenon the Duck Race has become, Jim Reedy, Joe “Butter” Milo, and their friends built a legacy that continues to draw crowds from near and far. The Duck Race isn’t just about the fast ducks, it’s about the heart and spirit of a community coming together to create something truly special and unforgettable.
The 45th Annual Great American Duck Races kicks off Thursday, August 22nd with the Bravo Mic Duck Royalty Pageant at the DHS Auditorium and wraps up Sunday, August 25th with the final duck races being held around 3 p.m. at the Luna County Courthouse Park.
For a full schedule and details, visit demingduckrace.com.
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