Despite both the 2022 Ross Carnival and Ross Regatta being cancelled, one event is powering through the countless challenges being thrown down by 2022.

Run by the Ross Lions, the Ross Duck Race has long been a tradition for Ross-on-Wye and will be taking place on this month’s bank holiday Monday (August 29 at 4pm).

Traditionally involving up to 1,500 little yellow plastic ducks, this event usually happens on the River Wye on carnival day.

For 2022, with no carnival happening, it was decided to give the ducks a little longer to get in shape and the race is now planned for the August bank holiday Monday.

Another major difference between this year and others is that the race will not happen on the Wye but on Rudhall Brook, starting by the back of Ross Swimming Pool. This was originally due to it sharing the same day as the Ross Regatta, but the regatta has since been cancelled.

As part of the preparations for the race, all the ducks were set free on the Ross Rugby Club field and lined up for the count. Each duck is meticulously checked to make sure it has a unique number and when they were all present and correct they were safely put away until race day.

Many Ross residents and visitors have already bought tickets for the race, some saying they have done so every year for as long as they can remember. Tickets are being sold outside Peacocks shop in Broad Street on Thursdays and Saturdays prior to the event. They are also available in the Lions charity shop in town and cost £1 each.

Ross Lions chair of activities Colin Parry said: “We really hope the weather is good enough to allow us to hold the actual race this year. Of course, we know that ducks love rain so that is what we need. If we don’t have sufficient water in the Brook, we will make it a ticket draw and the winning tickets will receive the prizes of £100, £75, and £50.”

As part of the race day promotion, the Lions are running a colouring in competition. Kids are encourage to use their flair and creativity to colour in a duck outline for the chance to win in one of three age categories: five and under, six to eight, and nine to eleven years old.

The colouring entry form can be collected from the Ross Lions shop or printed out from the Lions Facebook page.

Entries can be returned to the Lions shop no later Saturday, August 27.

Ross Lions are made up of local people who give their time and skills to volunteer to help the community. They hold regular fundraising events, help those in need and have a great social programme too. Anyone over 18 years can get involved and to find out more see our website RossOnWyeLions.org.uk or find them on their Facebook page.