For the past three days, Austin residents have been searching high and low for the infamous Golden Duck that kicks off the SPAMTOWN USA Festival each year.

Friday, June 29, 2001

For the past three days, Austin residents have been searching high and low for the infamous Golden Duck that kicks off the SPAMTOWN USA Festival each year.

Well, they’ll have to try again next year; the Golden Duck has been found.

Austin resident Erin Hays found the duck in the bushes at Lyon Park Thursday morning.

Hays said that she had been listening to KAUS each morning to hear the clues.

Thursday’s clue had something to do with a lion, "but don’t let it trick you," the clue said.

Hays immediately thought of Lyon Park because she lives nearby, and began searching.

Not long after, there it was.

Hays was awarded a $100 savings bond and a new bicycle for her search efforts.

Carter Rosenthal of Innovative Signs and Graphics presented Hays with the prizes.

After finding herself an unexpected winner, what does Hays plan to do with her prizes?

"I’m going to save the bond and let it generate interest," she said, "and give the bike to one of my six kids."

Hays said that her children were her inspiration for searching.

She tried two years ago, as did her daughter, but this is the first time she’s won.

So what does Hays’ daughter think about her mother winning the coveted Golden Duck?

"I think it’s fun and exciting," 11-year-old Brittany said.

Hays said it brightened her day as well.

Cindy Samuel, director of the SPAMTOWN USA Festival, explained that the tradition of the Golden Duck is as old as the festival itself, which began in 1986.

It wasn’t always the SPAMTOWN USA Festival, however.

"It was originally Cedar River Days," Samuel said. "We have lots of ducks in the area and thought that we had to use them as a theme."

And there is no age requirement or limit when searching for the coveted Golden Duck.

"It’s for the young at heart," Samuel said.

The festival centers around family fun, Samuel said.

June 6 is family day this year, with various games and stage entertainment throughout the day, concluding with the annual street dance.

Call Melissa Bregani at 434-2236 or e-mail her at newsroom@austindailyherald.com.