MILTON — The 11th Great Mill Town Duck Race raised an estimated $20,000 for the Blackwater Pyrates' community efforts.

The Blackwater Pyrates, a civic organization in Santa Rosa County, is dedicated to maritime heritage preservation, boater safety and river cleanup. The Pyrates reportedly sold 4,000 rubber ducks at $5 per duck, totaling $20,000, for their July 4 race in downtown Milton.

The Pyrates dumped the ducks from the Marquis Bayou Bridge into the Blackwater River from a trash bin rigged up to a truck. The ducks floated down a track bordered by foam tubes and flowed into a chute. Teresa McCombs was responsible for giving the winners to Blackwater Pyrates Capt. Carl Whitson and announcing their numbers.

While the ducks floated down the river, passengers on the Pyrates’ VIP boat tossed extra rubber ducks to spectators lining the riverwalk.

Race winners included Tracie Johnson with Advanced Insurance, Jones Fence Company and Greg Cowell with Farm Bureau. They won $1,500, $750 and $250, respectively.

Once the race ended, Blackwater Pyrate crews on boats in the river used nets to collect the remaining rubber ducks.

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