Canal Days a hit in Delphos

DELPHOS - Angie Sawmiller will tell you she's not a betting woman, but she couldn't help gambling on a rubber duck Saturday, winning her some cash.

"My ducks are going to win. I'm going to take first and second place," she said.

Sawmiller tossed down $10 to adopt two ducks in the rubber ducky race at Delphos Canal Days. The race, with 500 ducks dumped into the canal, was held with a fire hose creating a current to move the ducks toward the finish line.

Sawmiller joked as the race moved along that her duck was in the lead even though the only way to tell the ducks apart was by a number on the bottom of each.

"That's mine, the brunette with the purple nail polish," she joked, referring to her own appearance.

Sawmiller bought the tickets at her job, Topp Chalet, in Delphos to support a good cause. She had to attend the race to see if she won. After all, first place was $500. The duck race was held to raise money for the Museum of Postal History of Delphos that is being put together.

Sawmiller was just one of thousands who attended the annual Canal Days. The festival, in its 51st year, features music, rides, children's activities, a parade, art show, karaoke and a 5K run. There also was bingo, a cornhole tournament, a cheerleading competition, and a tractor and car show.

The event began Thursday night with a toast to the city and runs through Sunday. Sunday begins with a cheerleading competition and also has a parade and the 5K run.

Canal Days Chairman Eric Fritz said this year's event has been successful with a lot of people attending. Food and vendor sales have done really well, he said.

One of the showmen was Robert Nichols, of Ottawa, displaying his expertise as a wood carver. His carving technique, however, is a little unique. He uses a chainsaw.

Nichols carves bears, dolphins, owls, cactuses and even an Ohio State sign. All carvings will be auctioned off with part of the money going to the Delphos Chamber of Commerce, he said.

Nichols began carving seven years ago when he was cutting firewood. He wasn't that good at first, but with practice and a lot of scrap wood to burn along the way, his carvings became works of art.

"I made a lot of firewood when it didn't work out," he said.