Franklin Granville Vance Smart Start will hold its 17th Annual Ducky Derby race in downtown Henderson on September 19, 2026. Starting at 11 a.m., there will be a children’s parade, street art, and games.  At 2:00 pm, a river of rubber ducks will race to raise funds for ongoing services for families with children ages birth to 5 years.

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

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:

Tracy Williams - Lead Teacher

Cornerstone Daycare Ctr, Oxford

Brooke Allen - Lead Teacher

Pilot Baptist Daycare Min, Zebulon

Tracey Phillips - Teacher

Franklinton UMC Daycare, Franklinton

Barbara Davis - Floater

Kid’s Zone Daycare, Louisburg

City of Henderson
Granville Health Systems

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

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