2025’s Ducky Derby was dedicated to our child care providers. This is the second time FGV has used this format; the first time was in 2021. The winners of this year’s Ducky Derby are as follows:
Prize
Winner, Child Care Facility
$1,000
Tracy Williams – Lead Teacher
Cornerstone Daycare Ctr, Oxford
Chick-Fil-A
Brooke Allen – Lead Teacher
Pilot Baptist Daycare Min, Zebulon
$250
Tracey Phillips – Teacher
Franklinton UMC Daycare, Franklinton
$100
Barbara Davis – Floater
Kid’s Zone Daycare, Louisburg
2025 Pictures
Previous Years

Franklin Granville Vance Smart Start will hold its 16th Annual Ducky Derby race in downtown Henderson on September 20, 2025. At 10 a.m., there will be a children’s parade, street art, and games. At 11:00 a.m., a river of rubber ducks will race to raise funds for ongoing services for families with children ages birth to 5 years.
This year’s Ducky Derby Race will be dedicated to our local Child Care Professionals. When the ducks race down Garnett St, each duck will be representing a hard-working Child Care Professional from one of our 112 child care programs in Franklin, Granville, and Vance counties.
One lucky duck will win $1000, the second-place winner will win Chick-Fil-A for a year, the third place wins a $250 Sheetz Gas Card, and the very last duck wins $100.
We hope that you will consider being a sponsor for this special event. Together, we will Foster Wellbeing, Generate Resiliency, and Value Learning!
Sponsorship levels are:
Super Duck $1,000
Quacker Backer $500
Feathered Friend $250
For information about being a sponsor, call Dr. Linda Frederickson
at 252-433-9110 ext. 224
In previous years, many of you supported our efforts by purchasing or selling Ducky Derby tickets. However, since this year’s Ducky Derby is being dedicated to our local child care professionals, that option is not available. Instead, you may contribute by using the following link: https://fgvsmartstart-ducky-derby.cheddarup.com. This platform allows you to make a donation in any amount or become an event sponsor (with a minimum contribution of $250).
If you prefer to contribute by check, please make it payable to:
FGV Smart Start
P.O. Box 142
Henderson, NC 27536
Our Generous Sponsors for 2025
Super Ducks
City of Henderson
Granville Health Systems
Quacker Backers
Chick-Fil-A Prize
Greystone Concrete
Advance Pest Control
Duke Energy Carolinas
ColeBrooke Custom Homes
Fred’s Towing & Transport
FGV Board of Directors
Oasis of Hope
Feathered Friends
Sheetz
Margier White – State Farm Insurance
Louisburg Family Dentistry (Dr. Lee)
Wester Realty & Insurance
Charles Boyd Chevrolet
Dorsey Tractor & Landscaping
NC Pediatric Associates (Dr. Cathcart)
Maria Parham
Winston International