Norwich — The Norwich Duck Race is returning in 2022 after a hiatus since 2016, and is now under the direction of the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce. The fundraiser benefitting the chamber and the Yantic Fire Department is scheduled to take place June 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., next to the fire department.

There will be two races: the corporate sponsors duck race at noon followed by the launch of 3,100 rubber ducks down the river, which people can "adopt" for $5 apiece. The corporate ducks are a bit larger and carry an entry fee of $150, and businesses decorate their ducks.

UCFS Vice President of Business Development Pamela Allen Kinder, the committee chair of this event for the chamber, said UCFS decorated a duck like a doctor in the past.

"It's a great family event," Kinder said. "It's a lot of fun. It's competitive for the businesses, the ones that get involved with the corporate duck race, and I just think people need something to look forward to and some fun events."

Participants can win cash and other prizes. There will also be vendors, food trucks, children's activities, games and music.

To enter an individual duck in the race or sign up to be a sponsor, ranging from $100 to $1,500, visit norwichchamber.com.

Jan Mallet started the event for Norwich Sunrise Rotary a decade ago, and Rotarian Mark Graves said the organization used the proceeds to help fund projects in the city, like playground equipment or food drives.

But Norwich Sunrise Rotary President Carrie Szymanski said membership decreased over the years and the event became too big for a small group of people.

The rotary club approached the chamber a few years ago about taking over the event, but Chamber Executive Director Angela Adams said they didn't think it was the right time. Now, she does.

"I think people are looking to have more fun and do more community events," she said. The chamber will also be hiring a third staff member in 2022.

Rotarians will still help with logistics the day of the race, Szymanski said, because the group's charter members have so much experience "with the gear and the traps and the nets and the whole process." The rotary club handed over its supplies to the chamber.

Adams said CorePlus Credit Union has already signed on as the title sponsor; the chamber had one spot available for its largest sponsorship opportunity, being a "Speckquacular Supporter" at the $2,500 level.

Proceeds from the duck race will benefit both the chamber and the Yantic Fire Department, which is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year.

Fire Chief Bill Eyberse said the duck race will be part of the anniversary celebration, along with the annual banquet and awards night in May, a steak and lobster dinner in August, and possibly an antique fire apparatus display.

He said the fire department uses proceeds from fundraisers to go toward additional equipment and station maintenance.

e.moser@theday.com