Imagine winning a million dollars while helping the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce and essentially our community by adopting a duck — the floatable, rubber species.

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You have a chance at winning the million or several other prizes at 2 p.m., Saturday, at River Falls Park in Weldon during the 2009 Ducky Derby.

It’s a full day of fun beginning at 10 a.m. and wrapping up around 3 p.m. when the final duck floats across the finish line.

Ruby Gerald, the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce’s event manager for the Ducky Derby, said ducks are still available for adoption. Some 3,000 of the ducks have already found “parents” for the race.

A single duck for the race will cost you $5. You can get a six-quack for $25 or a 25-member flock for $100.

You can make your adoption online by logging onto www.rvchamber.com and at the chamber office, 260 Premier Blvd. Ducks may be adopted Saturday until 2 p.m. at the chamber’s booth.

“This year, we are putting a different spin on the Ducky Derby,” Gerald said. A barbecue cook off called the HalifaxQue has been added. A North Carolina Pork Council sanctioned event, it will feature 10 competitive cookers. The event is sponsored by the Halifax County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

In addition to a culinary prize, there will be one in showmanship. This is given to the cooks who decorated their area the best. The cooking will be done overnight.

Lori Medlin, executive director of the Halifax County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said this is the inaugural event for the barbecue cook off.  She said they hope this will become an annual event. “We are very proud of our local barbecue champion cookers in the area,” she said. “We have several who have won state awards. We are happy to showcase them.”

Medlin added they also welcome the cookers from outside the area who are competing with the others to bring some great barbecue to the Ducky Derby.

“Pork dinners will be for sale at 11 a.m. until we run out,” Gerald said. Cost is $7 per plate.

A showmanship parade will be held today, Friday, at 5:30 p.m. It will start at Fourth and Washington Avenue in Weldon and continue down to River Falls Park. Other events include free rides for children and a fitness boot camp offered by Crowley’s Life Style Fitness.

The 45-minute boot camp will be at 10 a.m., Saturday and will improve your strength and agility. “The average person can do it,” Tammy Crowley said. “Even someone who hasn’t exercised in awhile.” Those who complete it will get a free Crowley’s Life Style Fitness T-shirt.

Crowley said she wanted to do something different as community outreach. “I want to show you can have fun while you exercise,” she said.

Anyone interested in participating can call Crowley at 537-1402, or show up 15 minutes prior to the event.

Gerald said there will be several craft and food vendors at the event. Riverside Mill will have 20 vendors selling crafts and other specialty items during a mini-auction.

A shuttle will be running from River Falls Park to Riverside Mills. “For those who want to shop during the day,” Gerald said.

Various performers will provide entertainment throughout the day, the Holiday Band will be headlining.

Hannah’s Place will have kids activities featuring Dora the Explorer and Sponge Bob Squarepants. “It is a fun day in the park with family and friends,” Gerald said, “And it’s a chance to win a million dollars.”