To celebrate spring, Chester organizations are planning a three-day event, on the weekend of Friday to Sunday, May 3, 4, and 5 to usher in the nice weather, say goodbye to winter, and raise money for the Chester Rotary and Homeward Bound Adoptions animal rescue. And, of course, race a few rubber ducks.

“In the past, the event has been centered around just the duck race, but this year we wanted to do more and make it more of a family event that everyone can participate in, so, we have included a lot more activities,” explained Jan Taigen of the Chester Rotary Club.

The festivities kick off May 3, with the downtown merchants’ First Friday celebration, at which merchants stay open late and offer additional promotions and the occasional nosh. From 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., the Pattaconk 1850 Bar and Grille will host performances by Old Dog, New Trick and Robert Ashley and Little House Brewery will be unveiling its first ever batch of maibock lager.

Saturday, May 4 is family day, with ongoing kids’ activities from 1 to 4 p.m. Kids’ programs will include activities put on by the Chester Library, Camp Hazen, Tri-Town Youth Services, Valley Regional High School Interact Club, and the Tree House Players. In the afternoon, action shifts to the Pattaconk Brook. A float parade starts at 4 p.m., followed at 4:15 p.m. by the duck race—patrons are encouraged to buy a rubber ducky for $5, with prizes awarded for first place, second place, and last place ducks. (Find more information in our Person of the Week profile of Rotarian Lynette Bester on page 2.)

In addition, from 1 p.m. to midnight there will be musical performances from the Kathy Thompson Band, the Michael Cleary Band, and the Dizzy River Band at the Pattaconk.

“We are really looking forward to the whole weekend of events,” said Taigen.

On Sunday, May 5—Cinco De Mayo—there will be a town-wide dog and owner costume parade at 11 a.m. and from noon to 7 p.m. at the Pattaconk, Shore Break and Butter Jones Band will play live music.

In the past, proceeds from the duck race have been used by the Rotary Club to help support the Chester Elementary School Aquarium, to fund Rotary scholarships, and to support local charities. This year, money raised by the Rotary Club will be used for various projects around town, including the construction of a viewing platform at Chester Creek (if the town approves the project).

A portion of the money raised will also go to Homeward Bound, a Connecticut non-profit organization that holds adoption events for rescues and shelters to bring their dogs to, all at no cost to them.

“I encourage everyone to come out for the weekend’s events and support the community, have some fun, bring the family, celebrate spring and connect to nature.” Taigen said,

Ducks can be purchased at various locations throughout Chester, as well as www.homewardboundct.org/chester-spring-weekend. In an effort to reduce, reuse, and re-purpose, this year the ducks will be numbered so they can be used again.