By KC Smith

Cooleemee Correspondent

On Saturday, July 21 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., RiverPark celebrated its annual fundraiser, the Bull Hole Duck Race.

The water was low but there’s always enough to have a load of ducks follow the rapids to the finish line where the waters are much calmer.

The low water exposes the beautiful bedrock, which gives visitors the chance to put their chairs out in the middle of the river to get a different perspective of the natural landscape.

Playing in the cold water is fun for adults and children and knowing there is a warm dry rock waiting to knock the chills off just balances out the day.  Walking to the dam is a little easier to get a big splash of South Yadkin coming over the edge.

Benita Finney, RiverPark’s new event coordinator, did a great job pulling in food and craft vendors and organizing the event.

The celebration was held in broader areas this year with food and drinks at the Woodson cook shelter and visitors could find craft vendors, ice cream, games for kids and good music down by the water.

Everywhere you looked there were emergency teams sitting and enjoying the day while being on the ready in the event their assistance was needed.

Thank you Chad Lipscomb and Andrew Dennison from the Davie County Rescue Squad. Thank you Dru Germano and Connor Hennelly from Cooleemee Fire Department.      Thank you Kim Allred and others from Woodleaf Fire Department.

“I am so grateful for our sponsors, volunteers, and vendors who came together to create a fabulous, fun day for RiverPark,” Finney said.

The O’Neal family takes care of loading the ducks, dumping them in the river on queue while a team of family members wait at the finish line to pick up the winners and then collects  all the other ducks to bag up for next year’s event.

Jamie O’Neal in particular was helpful to assist Finney whenever she needed him.

Each year, O’Neal agrees to donate his time and equipment to bush hog the beautiful area that runs along the river.  It’s a welcoming site when its all clear and you can see the indigenous vegetation. Thank you for everything you do.

Photos have been posted on RiverPark’s Facebook page, RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls.

Feel free to contact me at 336.250.1133. I would love to hear from you.