Union Bridge to host 7th annual
 Rubber Duck Derby

(5/22) On July 12th, Little Pipe Creek will be teeming with hundreds of yellow rubber ducks.

While rain caused the event to be rescheduled from June to July, Dream Big Union Bridge plans to make an even bigger splash with their free to attend 7th Annual Rubber Duck Derby Festival featuring local vendors, food trucks, music, and Maryland’s Jeep Club.

The founder and co-founder of Dream Big Union Bridge, Brian Colussy and Cheri Thompson, have been working hard to ensure that proceeds not only fly towards the individuals who live in Union Bridge, Maryland, but also families across America through their inclusion of the non-profit organization Mission 22.

When Colussy stood in ankle-deep water a few days before the festival was originally scheduled, he knew it would be counterproductive to tear up the town park while setting up an event that raises money to rebuild the town.

"We also have to keep track of our athletic swimmers, the rubber ducks," Colussy said.

"They are really happy to have the event postponed because they have been training hard, but some are struggling so they need a little extra time to prepare." Thompson said.

In order to participate in the derby, individuals can purchase one duck for $5.00, six ducks for $25.00, or 15 ducks for $50.00.

The first three lucky ducks that float past the finish line are awarded cash prizes. First place is awarded $250, second $200, and third $150.

"We think we're going to draw a bigger crowd because now we’re not competing with carnivals," Thompson said. "It seemed like everyone we talked to had something going on June 7th, but now we have more time to get more people, and even more vendors involved."

The rubber ducks splashing in the creek will be just one of the many attractions that Dream Big has planned for the day.

Attendees will have the opportunity to marvel at an assortment of Jeeps organized by Maryland’s Jeep Club while live music from The Mayo Family Band, and Payload, echo throughout the park.

For the first time, Dream Big is introducing local wineries and distilleries to the festival.

It is the founders’ hope that the more vendors and activities they feature during their upcoming event will not only bring people to the derby but also introduce people to a town that they otherwise would drive right past.

The ducks that bob in the creek alongside the Donald D. Wilson Walking Trail are more valuable to the community than a simple cash prize. Each yellow rubber duck is a reminder that Dream Big is funneling money into improving the infrastructure of Union Bridge.

Kathy Kreimer, the owner of Esquire Liquors Union Bridge, explained that the duck derby puts a spotlight on the town that the rest of the county can see.

"It brings people into town and lets them see all we have and all we do," Kreimer said. "It’s a real nice day to just have fun for the kids and the parents and not worry about anything else."

How Dream Big Union Bridge got their ducks in a row

A liquor store is not the first building one would expect a Carroll County deputy to enter.

In 2017 while Cheri Thompson was working a part-time shift at Esquire Liquors in Union Bridge Maryland, Brian Colussy in full uniform, stood among the packed shelves of wine bottles, looking to initiate a long-lasting partnership with Thompson.

At the heart of Dream Big Union Bridge, a non-profit organization in Union Bridge Maryland, is Brian Colussy the founder and Cheri Tompson the co-founder, who both share a deep motivation to make Unions Bridge the best version of itself.

"I’ve had a dream that this town can be like Sykesville or Mount Airy, because they looked like this before they got to where they are now," Thompson said. "That’s my goal I’d give anything for that."

As a Carroll County deputy in 2014 Colussy saw the parts of Union Bridge that people passing by would not get the chance to see.

Growing up in a rural town in western Pennsylvania, Colussy saw Union Bridge as more than just one of the thousands of map dots across America. Union Bridge reminded him of his home, and he did not want to see it fall apart.

"He wasn’t your average deputy," Thompson said. "He was everywhere, and you never knew where he was from one five minutes to the next. He could tell you who lived in what house if they were married, divorced, if they had a dog or a cat."

Colussy saw families struggle to pay their bill, individuals dealing with substance abuse, empty storefronts, and a small town being forgotten by the rest of the county.

"It’s like the broken glass theory," Colussy said. "Prime example, kid breaks a window, window doesn’t get replaced, more kids are going in and breaking even more windows and when that happens the homeless move in, try to keep warm and end up burning down the whole building."

Colussy expressed that when a town doesn’t have enough money to fix one small problem then it could lead to even bigger issues. Colussy wanted to make a change but knew he could not do it alone.

Thompson was recommended to Colussy by a Union Bridge residence due to the reason that she had an extensive past in working with non-profits organizations such as Taneytown Jaycees, Maryland State Junior Quarter Horse Association and Union Bridge Business Association.

Thirty community members and business owners showed up to the first meeting in which both Colussy and Thompson recognized a theme among the people. Members of the Union Bridge community had big dreams for the future of the place they call home.

Eight years, six duck derbies and countless community events later Dream Big Union Bridge is still working towards bettering the community.

It is the founders’ hope that the more venders and activities they feature during their upcoming event on June. 7. will not only bring people to the derby but also introduce people to a town that they otherwise would drive right past.

"We have people from all over come to the derby," Thompson said. "Our goal is that when they come, they will learn more about the town, patronize some of the businesses, hopefully they’ll see a vacant building and possibly want to start their own business in town."

While organizing the event both founders are also juggling full-time jobs. Colussy serves at Carroll Community College on the campus police force and Thompson works at Carroll County government and Resources Management. And still they are both driven by their love for Union Bridge.

"It takes a community. We have to look out for each other," Thompson said. "That’s what Dream Big does. We’re trying to get people to know their neighbors which is why we do the community events so that people know what is going on in each other's lives."