FOR UPCOMING EVENTS please go to the "WELCOME" or "CALENDAR" pages. That information will no longer appear on this page.
A LIVE REPORT FROM THE STORMY DUCK DERBY Even with shorter sales time because of storm, Duck Derby raised more than $900 for Memorial Garden Fund. The Duck Derby slide show is below this story.
THE DUCK DERBY CROWD started to form just before 2 p.m. Saturday. The sun is shinning brightly and everyone is in good spirits waiting the big duck race down the creek and over the waterfall.
As the crowed enjoyed refreshments it began to grow darker and darker. At 2:20 p.m. one could hear thunder in the distance and it looked like it would start pouring any minute.
Applause erupted as the thunder came closer to camp. Obviously rain is certain for this Duck Derby event that benefits the Memorial Garden fund. The threat didn't stop the party even when it keeps getting darker.
Not being in a position to see the ducks one would guess they will be released earlier than planned in hopes of getting the race in before the storm. The clock ticks away as the storm mounts to change a beautiful, sunny afternoon to darkness.
From my covered decki I can see the duck netters getting into the water in preparation of netting the ducks as they come over the falls. In the distance between thunder one can now hear the backhoe, which means the log holding back some water is about to be removed to make the rush of water even more dramatic.
It's surely almost time for the ducks to be dropped. It's now 2:29 p.m. and it's about time to get the ducks into the water. The sky continues to darken but at this point it's got to be a "go."
It's almost dark and all one can hear is thunder and the backhoe between rumbles. Yes the log is being removed and the ducks are ready for their drop from the footbridge leading to the lower tent sites.
It’s now raining and as an organizer yells, “the ducks are on their way!”
Yellow ducks with multi-colored bottoms can barely be seen as it continues to get darker and the water churns from the hard, rapid falling rain. As the ducks round the corner the men begin to cheer. They are standing their ground even in the downpour to see the ducks or at least some ducks cross the finish line.
The race is on and there is no turning back now. Only one thing can stop the race now and that's the big question: "Will the duck catchers stand their ground in the water as darkness covers camp and the rain trusts against men, many shirtless, as they watch through the darkness to spot the small yellow heads of the numbered ducks?"
The catchers stand their water and the first ducks start to go over the waterfall. It's obvious now that the race will be finished no matter what.
It’s almost black out and the crowd is just a shadow from our rain-free reporting shelter.
The ducks now can be seen as they get closer to the waterfall and the finish line. The wind picks up, and the humidity drops dramatically as a temperature drop rushes through camp. Some men are running towards shelter while others are yelling at the ducks to "speed it up."
The storm hits with rain, hail and high winds. It’s dark and the once loud crowd cannot be heard over the pounding rain, thunder and winds. The camp's electricity goes out but few know that because they are at the bridge fighting to see the ducks in the blinding rain. Their interest is only on the ducks now and surely the sooner the seven or eight ducks cross the winning line the men will vanish to all parts of the lower camp to seek shelder under deck roofs or any place where they might be able to avoid the pounding rain.
This reporter has to leave his shelter to move inside. The wind is so strong that the covered shelter is no longer holding back the horizontal rain. It’s not clear if the ducks are at the waterfalls yet, but one thing is sure, the thunder, rain and wind are making an impression on the partygoers.
We are without information at this point but will pick up this blow-by-blow coverage as soon as we can as soon as the darkness disappears and the gushing water stops.
Looking out at the bridge area at 2:40 p.m. there were no men around. The creek is churning away and this writer has no idea what happened to the ducks or the men.
Obviously it’s too late to rescue the ducks and the men have to find the best shelters possible.
We don’t have word yet if enough ducks made it over the finish line to call this a race. This storm, like all others, is passing by.
We have no idea where the photographer is at this point but we do know he has found shelter to protect himself and one of two cameras we use to shoot events to post on the Web site. We have no doubt that he was able to get some shots off before it became so dark that even the best of cameras cannot complete with the blowing winds, rain and especially the darkness.
The rain is now stopping but it’s still dark.
The electric is now off at 2:48 p.m., the sky is dark and the rain is coming down. The rain isn’t as bad as earlier but it’s still enough that most Hillsiders don’t want to be out in it. We’re using our generator and are ready to upload this report along with one or two slide shows assuming the photographer returns with usable pictures and our cable Internet connection is still up.
Some men have returned to the bridge area but at this point most have taken refuge back at their own sites or the sites of their neighbors.
We still have no word if the race was completed or the ducks have to be rescued so the race can continue on another day.
THIS JUST IN
The duck race was completed and the winners are recorded and will be announced this evening at the Rec Hall and fire. Music begins at 9 p.m. and preparations are being made in case the electric is still off. We will have music using camp generators. As they say, "The show must go on!" Tonight's show will be a mix of C&W as well as disco since it's also Country & Western weekend.
Even after all the thunder, rain and excitement, Duck Derby 2008 is history. The organizers will follow up with announcements at the Rec Hall this evening. Congratulations go out to the winners!
The skies remain dark and the electric is off throughout camp at 3 p.m. Who says camping at Hillside cannot be exciting?
It’s now 4 p.m. and the sun shines brightly as men work to restore the power.
Just as this report is being filed the power comes on. It's now around 5 p.m. As this report is uploaded it's raining lightly and the darkness is a little brighter but the sun has left us again. Hillside campers have weathered another storm. Most storms went around Hillside last season so hopefully that will be the case this season. As one camper said, "It's still a beautiful place even when it rains!" We agree with him.
Sunday's outlook is "perfect," according to the weather folks. It should be a nice day to be around the pool or playing BINGO! at 1 p.m. at the Rec Hall. This will be a perfect ending to an almost perfect weekend at Hillside.
ENJOY THE FEW IMAGES BELOW!
Memorial Day Weekend slide shows have been moved to their own page. They can be found under EVENTS & PICS. You may go there by clicking HERE.
X
THE HELPING HAND FUND Committee is selling rainbow bears to raise money to benefit needy fellow campers. This is THE fundraiser of the year! Bears are just $10 each. All six rainbow-color bears for just $50. The basket in the above picture with bears & cookbook is just $200. The Helping Hand Fund is a non-profit organization.
Received Jan. 4, 2008
OUR FRIENDS AT THE COMPLETE BEAR just notified us that Hillside Campgrounds was named "Best Bear Campsite" for year 2007. That group polled visitors from many bear sites and blogs from far and near to decide the bestin several categories. To view all category winners, click on the paw image at the right. The group's Web site may be found by going to the LINKS page.
We thank everyone who voted for Hillside, especially The Complete Bear site and its members for doing the leg work that ended with a list of bear-related winners.
It's easy to participate in a show — see Ag!
CHECK YOUR CLOSET THIS WINTER for that perfect dress or costume for one of Hillside's stage shows. You could be the next star!
It's easy to participate -- all you have to do is sign up with Ag, our show and master host. Everyone has a "hidden talent." You could be that brief glittering moment that's the talk of Hillside.
Why not plan to be in the next show this season? You have just enough time to find that perfect dress, outfit or costume.
Hillsiders love comedy and live music and . . . . Frankly almost anything seems to please the hundreds of men in the audience. Have fun with your talent and you’ll have hundreds of men cheering you on -- that's a given. It's a perfect way to make new friends, really!
Don't be shy, host Ag will help you overcome your fears and before you know it, you, too, may be a star.
If you don't believe that, just ask Miss Tippy. She loves to share her stories about how she, too, became a Hillside star and even passed the dreaded host test to be a co-host from time to time.
Ag is at camp most weekends. It was on one of these special weekends that Miss Tippy was discovered by Ag. Stop by Ag's site to ask questions and to get more information.
Ag is located across from the Outback at the end of Hummingbird Lane. Its site name, once the sign is erected, is Casa d’Amore.
IMPORTANT: Sign-up to participate in a show by being at the Rec Hall the day of the show from noon to 12:30 p.m. for a very brief meeting. Please bring your music.
Check the Hillside calendar for show dates.
We hope to see you at the next show where you, too, could be a star in the Hillside skies!
BALLS TO RETURN EVERY SUNDAY IN 2008: BINGO!
BINGO! IS BACK EVERY SUNDAY(except for holiday weekends where we may call the numbers on Mondays).
The fun begins Memorial Day Weekend and runs through Labor Day Weekend. Bingo is BIG at Hillside. Join in the fun with proceeds going to theHelping Hand Fund.
It all begins at 1 p.m. at the Rec Hall, rain or shine. It's worth staying an extra hour to watch or join in the fun! Perhaps you, too, will yell "BINGO!" and leave camp with some extra cash!
POTLUCK RETURNS EVERY SUNDAY EVENING AT 6
POTLUCK DINNER SUNDAYS at 6 p.m. are always fun. Join your fellow men Sundays for this social event at the Rec Hall to get to know others on a personal level. You won't find a better bunch of guys anywhere.
Please bring a dish to pass, if you can. Day campers are always welcome to attend this event as well as all public Hillside events.
Please no smoking in the Rec Hall or near the entrances since some campers are allergic to smoke.
Please wear proper clothing since food is being served. Shorts are fine. We hope to see you there at 6 p.m.
PICTURE POSTING POLICY: Camp pictures are posted on this site for the purpose of letting viewers know the many exciting and fun events that take place at Hillside. We're told the picture coverage of most events is what makes this site current and we're happy to provide this service. If your picture is in one of the slide shows and you wish for it to be removed please e-mail the Webmaster giving him the page title, the show title and the picture number starting with the title slide as picture number one. A description of the item that needs to be removed would be helpful (i.e., person at far left, in middle, person with blue shirt, etc.). All slide show pictures are protected so others cannot remove a picture for posting on other sites. We have no control over pictures that campers take and may post on their personal sites. If you are unhappy with an image on this site please let the Webmaster know and he will remove it as long as you tell him specifically which picture it is. IF you find your picture posted on a non-Hillsdie site we suggest you write the Webmaster of that site requesting that the picture be removed. In all cases the Webmaster will hopefully remove it. Thank you for your help in making this site useful to Hillside viewers.
RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE
(c) 2004 - 2007 HILLSIDE CAMPGROUNDS. (This site is updated daily all year long!) The camp's mailing address is Hillside Campgrounds, P.O. Box 726, Binghamton, NY 13902. The physical location of the camp is Creek Road, Gibson, PA.
