Janice Juszcazak, a member of the Sacred Heart Ladies Guild, dumps a basket of rubber ducks from the age 0-3 entrants on Carolina Avenue in downtown Chester for their annual Duck Race as part of the city’s Fourth of July event. The proceeds are split between the guild and the Chester Fourth of July committee, who sell more than 500 ducks annually as part of the fundraiser. The Fourth of July festivities run all day, culminating with a parade, live music and fireworks.

Chester assistant police chief Ethan Skolrud and Hancock County Sheriff deputy Joe DeStefano talk Friday afternoon at the starting point of the city’s annual duck race as their cruisers block the road to prevent motorists from going in the makeshift stream down Carolina Avenue created by an open hydrant. As part of the duck race, which has become a hugely popular event at the city’s Fourth of July festivities, participants adopt a rubber duck for $5 which goes in a basket and then dumped in the running stream by age group, and the duck that crosses the finish line first wins. The event is a fundraiser for the Sacred Heart Ladies Guild and the Chester Fourth of July Committee. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

From left, Chester water district employees Leon Taylor and Treor Caughey open a water hydrant in front of Connie’s Corner Friday afternoon for the city’s annual duck race that is held as part of July 4th festivities. The day opened with a 5K and also included a car show, inflatables, live music and fireworks. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

From left, Megan Bickerton of East Liverpool and her two sons, 3-year-old Jack and 7-year old Wesley, adopt their ducks Friday morning before the noon start time for the duck race. The Sacred Heart Ladies Guild and city’s Fourth of July committee hold this event annually as a fundraiser. While this was going on in downtown Chester, there was a car show and inflatables in Chester City Park and a chalk art contest across the street in the VFW parking lot.