Ducks on the Mississippi

Casey Zimmerman, of Cape Girardeau, left, and Don Greenwood, of Cape Girardeau start the first duck race with the sponsor ducks at the first annual Ducks on the Mississippi in downtown Cape Girardeau Friday. About 700 ducks participated and proceeds from the event went to Optimist International for Childhood Cancer and local children programs. The event was in honor of Janie Meyer, who passed away from cancer in May. Meyer was the president of the Espirit Optimist Club. (Elizabeth Dodd)

Cecelia Rose Sanderfer, 4, of Kelso, attempts to help retrieve rubber ducks from the river at the first annual Ducks on the Mississippi in downtown Cape Girardeau Friday. (Elizabeth Dodd)

Bruce Zimmerman, of Cape Girardeau, foreground, paddles up to load ducks to take to the starting line at the first annual Ducks on the Mississippi in downtown Cape Girardeau riverfront Friday. (Elizabeth Dodd)

The Gardner family, of Cape Girardeau, William, 2, from left, Bob, Jennifer and Samantha, 5, cheer on their duck they named "Ducko." (Elizabeth Dodd)

About 700 rubber ducks float down the river in the first annual Ducks on the Mississippi. (Elizabeth Dodd)

Don Greenwood, of Cape Girardeau, scoops up the winning duck at the finish line. (Elizabeth Dodd)

Cape Girardeau Firefighter Norman Baker, left, and Captain Paul Breitenstein attempt to catch 700 rubber ducks from the river. (Elizabeth Dodd)