With a nor’easter bearing down on the region last weekend, the Barrington Education Foundation organizers decided to postpone the annual duck race to this Saturday, Oct. 3. 

The event serves as a key fund-raiser for BEF, which uses the proceeds to fulfill grant requests to enhance the education experience for students in Barrington Public Schools. 

Karen Occhialini, a BEF board member and event co-chair, joked that the education foundation would have lost more than a few rubber ducks from Woods Pond if they tried to run the event last Saturday, which saw heavy rain and strong winds pelt the area. 

“The ducks would have been on County Road,” she said. 

BEF officials are excited to host the duck race this Saturday, Oct. 3 — the fun begins at 2 p.m., and the duck race starts at 3. There will be games and other activities. 

“We’re expanding the event this year,” Occhialini said. 

There will be food trucks, raffle baskets, and more than a half-dozen games that were created by student clubs at Barrington High School. Kids will vote on the games, and the top selection will earn money for their BHS club. Occhialini said BEF is also supporting the clubs by helping cover the costs to create their games. 

“We really wanted to engage the high school students,” she said. 

While the games may be geared toward the students, the BEF duck race is open to everyone. All residents are welcome to stop by area around Woods Pond on Saturday and purchase a duck, or two, or ten. The owners of the top-three ducks win cash prizes. 

“It’s a day where the whole community can come out,” Occhialini said. “Anyone can buy ducks. It’s really a great community event, and the proceeds go right back into the classrooms.”

New emcee

A familiar voice at the annual BEF rubber duck race is Stu Moran — the Barrington teacher has served as emcee for the event in years past. 

Occhialini said that when officials rescheduled the duck race, it created a conflict for Moran, who will not be able to attend this year’s race. Occhialini said officials have been working hard to find another Barrington teacher to step into the role. 

Not so lucky

While the Barrington Education Foundation annual duck race was postponed, the Barrington Arts Festival was not. Scheduled for last weekend, the event was canceled altogether because of the wet weather. The event had promised plenty of fun: food vendors, music, and arts and crafts from dozens of vendors.