What's Happening in Cincinnati, OH…

As many as 100 cities have begun dumping rubber ducks in the local waterways to raise money, and Cincinnati, where it all started, jumped in last weekend.

The annual Rubber Duck Regatta, a tradition that celebrates the end of summer, took place on August 31, when thousands of people gathered to watch as some 150,000 rubber ducks were dumped into the Ohio River from the Purple People Bridge. The regatta is the most successful and longest-running fundraising event of its type in the country, and this year was its 20th anniversary.

The regatta drew large crowds, helped by the fact that it was taking place on the same day as two other popular events: P&G Riverfest and a fireworks show sponsored jointly by Cincinnati Bell and WEBN. Kroger, the food giant based in Cincinnati, also sponsors the regatta, and workers at the Freestore Foodbank lend their support as well. Add to that the thousands of Cincinnati residents who pay $5 per duck in the hope they will win a new car, and the regatta brings in hundreds of thousands of dollars to fight hunger in the area.

It is anticipated that this year's regatta might raise enough money to provide as many as two million meals to needy families and children. Regatta organizers could work with a banner printing company to create fun, colorful, sturdy flags to display at the riverfront for future events.