By KRWG News
Deming – As Deming prepares for the 30th annual Great American Duck Race, officials are feeling the pinch of tough economic times.
Lead organizer Dave Johnson, known as the Publicity Quacker, says the event usually attracts about 20,000 people. This year, he says vendors have cut back and he worries there won't be as many participants.
The duck race is scheduled Aug. 20-23.
Johnson says many top-level sponsors are still supporting the event but they've opted for a lower level than in the past. He says as a result, the Duck Race committee cut the advertising budget by $10,000.
Some competitions associated with the four-day party, including a horseshoe tournament, have been eliminated this year because organizers don't want to increase entry fees.
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Information from: Headlight, http://www.demingheadlight.com
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.