PADUCAH — The signature fundraiser for a local domestic violence center will celebrate its 10th year of the family-friendly event — duck adoptions opened Friday for the annual Paducky Derby rubber duck race, set for Oct. 26, to benefit Paducah's Merryman House Domestic Violence Center.

The goal of the 2024 event, called "A Decade of Ducks," is to raise more than $100,000 — funds which are critical to the Merryman House's services and operations.

Last year's event saw 17,000 duck adoptions. Merryman House leaders hope to reach the milestone of 20,000 duck adoptions for this year's race.

Merryman House Executive Director Mary Foley said when someone adopts a duck, they save a life.

"It really is just that idea that when you support the Paducky Derby, you are supporting the overall mission of the Merryman House, which is to save, build, and change the lives of those affected by domestic violence," Foley said.

On the day of the race, the rubber ducks are dropped into the lake, kayakers create the water current that allows the ducks to "swim" across the lake, and the first three ducks to cross the finish line are selected as winners.

First, second and third-place winners of the duck race will win $5,000, $2,000, and $1,000 respectively. People anywhere in the world can adopt a duck, and supporters do not need to be present to win. 

Foley highlighted the American Quilters' Society, the Paducah Fire Department, and the kayakers who help the ducks along the lake as major supporters of the event. She said the duck race serves as a lighthearted way to open the conversation about domestic violence — which can ultimately help a person in a domestic violence situation seek help.

"It's reasonably priced, so everyone can get involved for as little as 5 bucks," Foley said. "But it also serves this very important purpose, and that is to take a very heavy and difficult and deadly societal issue and allows us to set that table and have that conversation."

The Paducky Derby is set for 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Montgomery Lake in the Bob Noble Park Pond.

Anyone can attend the Paducky Derby as a spectator for free. People and organizations can adopt ducks online at one duck for $5, six ducks for $25, or 12 ducks for $50.