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ESCANABA - The duck races may be over, but the success of the event will impact the community for months to come. As the numbers are tallied and prizes dispersed, the Delta County Jaycees are thanking the public for another memorable year.

The races, which took place Saturday, were held in Gladstone's Van Cleve Park and boasted a number of additional activities and games. Among the activities were kids games, a bean bag tournament, Guitar Hero competition and a Texas Hold'em tournament.

"It was a very successful year," said Jaycee member Tanya Schuster. "The members really came together to pre-sell tickets and the event itself went very smoothly. It was a beautiful day and a lot of people came out and had a good time."

Approximately 10,000 ducks were raced at this year's event, said Schuster. Although it was not a record-breaking year, she noted the number is significant. "I think our biggest year was around 14,000, but I don't think we've gotten to 10,000 in a while," said Schuster. "This was a good year and I think it is because of the great group that we have right now."

A 2010 Polaris Ranger 400 side-by-side 4x4, the grand prize of the event, was awarded to Brenda Theoret. The second prize, $1,500 in cash, went to Hank Palahuul. A pair of 14k white gold .25ct diamond drop earrings, was awarded to third prize winner Lori Carlson.

For those who didn't receive one of the top three prizes, 22 other prizes were given away as well.

The money raised from the event will be spread throughout the community, notes Schuster, depending on what needs are most prevalent at the time proceeds are dispersed.

"The duck races are our biggest fund-raiser and so the operational costs come out of that," she said. "The rest is distributed throughout the community. The main project that we have is Operation Thanksgiving Baskets, and they can put together anywhere from 250 to 500 baskets, depending on how the year is."

"We've also given to the YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, some of the all-night high school senior parties, and the salvation army," she added. "Where the money goes it dependent on what the needs of the community are at the time."

With the approximately 50 members currently active within the Jaycees, Schuster explains that the outreach to the community is significant, especially with large events like the Duck Races.

"Our main mission is to build leadership skills through community service," she said. "We want the young people to take these skills and go out and use them - to give back to the community. The Duck Races are a great example of this."