One wonders what Mark Twain, who was a frequent visitor to Tannersville, NY in the late 19th century, would have thought of the Annual Rubber Duck Race at Gooseberry Creek. After all, Twain was intimately familiar with “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” having immortalized that unique amphibian in his memorable short story of the same name.

In Twain’s story, Jim Smiley, the protagonist, is a wily character who can’t pass up a sure bet. As the story progresses, Jim finds himself a frog, dubs him Daniel, and trains him how to jump on cue. So when Jim places a bet with the proverbial stranger-in-town on whose frog can jump the farthest, he doesn’t count on the fact that the stranger may have a trick or two up his own sleeve.

Frogs aside, it’s a sure bet you and your whole family enjoy yourselves at this year’s duck race.

In an Orwellian world where unmanned drones sweep foreign borders in search of illegal immigrants, it’s nice to know that there’s somewhere in the world (only three hours from NYC!) where a rubber duck race is the kick-off event of the spring season. That place is Tannersville. A small rural village, the year-round population of 448, according to the 2000 census, swells to 1,480 in summer with the influx of second home owners.

Surrounded by serene lakes, breathing forests and stunning mountain views, the Village of Tannersville was incorporated in 1895 as a mill town-grist, lumber and tanneries. With the invention of the automobile in the 1920’s, Tannersville, like most towns in the Catskills, fell on hard times. Local residents, used to hard work and adversity, re-invented themselves as a ski town in the 1950’s with the construction of Hunter Mountain, the “Snow Capital of the World.” By the 21st century, a spirit of economic revival swept the Catskill High Peaks like a religious tent show and Tannersville claimed a new identity as the “Painted Village.” A Main Street Revitalization project, the vision of local artist Elena Patterson, the project involves painting downtown buildings in multi-colored pastels, often with cartoon-like pictures on the shutters. It has attracted waves of tourists who come to see the dramatic paint schemes.

Fast becoming a new tradition, the annual rubber duck race on Gooseberry Creek, was started three years ago by Tannersville native Karen Terns, a tireless volunteer in the promotion of the small mountain village that she has called home since birth. Terns got the idea for the rubber duck race from her son, who happened across it out west where this community event is wildly popular.

On Saturday, May 29, Tannersville will hold its Third Annual Rubber Duck Race. The launch is in the middle of Main Street at the bridge. Five hundred yellow rubber ducks will “paddle” in a competitive fever towards the finish line, which is the creek across from Rip Van Winkle Lake on Railroad Ave (if you’re traveling east on Rte. 23A through Kaaterskill Clove, make a left at the only light in the Village onto Railroad Ave).

You can enter the race by purchasing raffle ticket(s) at the Main Street launch site. Tickets are only $5 each; proceeds go towards the Village Events Fund. While not quite as high-stakes as a Las Vegas casino, first prize winner of the Rubber Duck Race wins $250; second place prize is $125; third place $75.

If you’re thinking of testing your duck’s mettle against that of your friend or neighbor’s, the Duck Race will start at 11 am. There will also be a craft fair and gift vendors, food, live DJ, and a Crazy Boat Race at 2 pm at Rip Van Winkle Lake. If you’re thinking of taking part in the Crazy Boat Race, just build anything that floats, (no motors, please), decorate it and enter to win. Rain date is Sunday, May 30.

Until then, as Mark Twain might say, ‘learn your duck to swim!”