2025 Pluck-A-Duck Raffle

The Putnam Business Association proudly announces the 2025 Pluck-A-Duck Raffle Event is taking place on Sunday, August 10 from 9am-2pm and Monday, August 11 at NOON, because one day simply isn’t enough for this unique fundraising event.

The PBA Pluck-A-Duck Raffle Event joins forces with the Town of Putnam’s Main Street Car Cruise on August 10, where attendees will enjoy viewing over 2,000 classic cars, live music & more, including the colossal Kids Corner in Rotary Park, where free family fun awaits! Kids of all ages will delight in Xen’s Critters Petting Zoo, Bounce Houses, Balloons By Bella, Art by Simone Facepainting, the Breezeline Photo Booth, Arts & Crafts Tent, Popcorn Station, games, vendors and exhibitors with fun activities and giveaways. The popular Wonderful Waddle treasure hunt returns this year, where young attendees will visit various activities and exhibitors to have their form stamped. Completed forms are turned into the Putnam Business Association’s Kids Corner tent, where one lucky winner will be randomly selected to receive a backpack filled with school supplies along with a BMX Kink Curb Bicycle from Putnam Cyclery, valued at $450. The Wonderful Waddle forms will be available for download on the Putnam Business Association and Discover Putnam Facebook pages and day-of-event at the Wall Of Wishes display.

Whether kids walk, waddle or fly, they can give the Fun Run a try! Partnering with Northeast Opportunities for Wellness (NOW), children can participate in this one-mile Fun Run, beginning at 10:00 a.m. from the Hale YMCA Youth & Family Center, 9 Technology Park Drive in Putnam CT and race down the scenic walking path overlooking the Quinebaug river. The PBA Pluck-A-Duck Kids Fun Run is part of NOW’s ongoing 2-month kids marathon program. All youth participants will receive a shirt, customized medal, refreshments, and enjoy a day of activities in the Kids Corner. The Fun Run is possible with support from Breezeline, Centreville Bank, Christopher Heights of Webster MA and Day Kimball Health. Registration is available at www.nowinmotion.org

Is there a special wish that would make you feel “just ducky?” Post it on the Creamery Brook Village Wall Of Wishes, and a donation will be made to Make-A-Wish Connecticut, in support of creating life changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The Wall Of Wishes was designed and created with the assistance of Putnam Science Academy’s Director of Visual Arts, Sarah Stoll, and PSA art students. 

Making a splash once again is the Celebrity Dunk Tank, where local celebs like Attorney Kate Cerrone of The Northeast Law Center; Rob Challinor of VFW Auxiliary Post 1523; and thirteen area business owners and professionals will tempt event-goers to donate a minimum of $5 for two chances to make our celebrities take the plunge. Or donate $20 or more for a guaranteed dunk! The three celebrities that successfully raise the most funds, will have a donation made in their name to their preferred charity, from a grateful Putnam Business Association. Online donations can also be made in support of the celebrities thru August 9 at https://www.discoverputnam.com/pbarubberduckrace

The August 10 event is the final opportunity to purchase the 2025 Pluck-A-Duck Raffle tickets at stands in Rotary Park, downtown Putnam on Main Street, and the roving photo-worthy Duck Mobile.

Thousands of rubber ducks will be released at our secret duck pond on Monday, August 11 at NOON, swimming happily and then plucked for 110+ fantastic prizes, including the grand prize of a 8000 Watt Generac Generator With Electric Start ($1400 value) donated by P.B. Generators and top cash prize of a $500 VISA Gift Card, sponsored by Byrnes Agency. Viewers can cheer on their lucky duck during the live broadcast on WINY Radio 1350 AM & 97.1 FM, and the Putnam Business Association’s and WINY Radio’s Facebook pages, powered by Jewett City Savings Bank. The first 2 viewers responding to WINY Radio or the PBA’s Facebook pages correctly identifying the total number of ducks floating in the pond will win a $75 gift card to ANYA restaurant, courtesy of Arboreal Solutions.

And just when you think it’s over, the final 15 ducks waddling out of the pond will be selected for our “Last Lucky Duck” prizes, sponsored by Davis Place, D.B.C. Solutions, Elemental Plans LLC, J.B. Concrete Products and Putnam Spirits. Plus, one lucky business sponsor will be awarded the Corporate Duck raffle prize of a $750 VISA Gift Card and their name engraved on the Corporate Duck Trophy.

The 2025 Pluck-A-Duck Raffle Event is a powerful fundraising platform for the Putnam Business Association, their advocacy for local businesses and many free community events like Great Pumpkin Festival,  Zombie Fashion Show and SuperHero Day that draw thousands to northeast Connecticut.  

The event also supports 32 non-profit organizations and schools who are selling PBA Pluck-A-Duck raffle tickets and retain a portion from every ticket sold for their worthy cause. Last year, the event raised more than $12,000 for these various groups, which include Access Emergency Shelter/Access Community Action Agency, Anchors of Hope, Bags of Hope CT, Brooklyn Schools PTO, Cub Scouts Pack 43, Danielson Veterans Coffee Hours, Hale YMCA Youth & Family Center, NAMI Windham County NWC, Natchaug River Young Marines, Northeastern CT Insurance Professionals, Northeastern CT Arts Guild, Northeastern CT Relay For Life, Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, Nutmeg Acres Wildlife, Opportunity Works CT Inc., PAWS Cat Shelter, PCS Class of 2025/PCS Class 2025 8th Grade Trip, Putnam Arts Council, Putnam Lodge of Elks #574, Putnam Rotary Club, Quiet Corner NEMBA, Quiet Corner Veterans Support Coalition, Quinebaug Valley Senior Citizen Center, St. James Parochial School, Saint Joseph’s Living Center, Thames Valley Council for Community Action Meals-On-Wheels Program, Theatre of Northeastern CT, The Arc Eastern Connecticut, The Sunshine Kids Charity,  Tourtellotte Memorial High School, United Services and VFW Auxiliary Post 1523.

Pluck-A-Duck Raffle Tickets can be purchased at these essential non-profit organizations, and local businesses, including WINY Radio (45 Pomfret Street, Putnam CT), Centreville Bank (40 Main Street. Putnam CT; 100 Averill Road, Pomfret CT; 11 Pratt Road, Plainfield CT and 125 Wauregan Road, Danielson CT), bankHometown (182 Main Street, Putnam CT; 13 Canterbury Road, Brooklyn, 835 Riverside Drive, North Grosvenordale CT and 4 Gore Road, Webster MA), and Woodstock Creamery at Valleyside Farm (210 Child Hill Road, Woodstock CT), at upcoming community Farmers Markets and events, and online at www.discoverputnam.com/pbarubberduckrace

The Putnam Business Association and our 8,000+ feathered friends extend appreciation to our event sponsors Berkshire Bank, Breezeline, McGee Toyota of Putnam, Northeastern Appraisals, Renewal By Anderson of Southern New England, Runnings, The Day, The Sunshine Shop, Tom & Cathy Borner, Xfinity, JT’s Appliance, Creamery Brook Village, and WIN Waste Innovations, along with local businesses who generously donated raffle prizes in support of this beloved community tradition.