By Nicholas Brown
Staff Writer

Jeff Davis, at the Myles Travel Plaza in Auburn off Exit 2 of Route 101, is determined to sell as many tickets to the Auburn Duck Race as possible. The Auburn Historical Association fundraiser takes place Sept. 12. (The Hooksett Banner/Nicholas Brown)

Duck season has arrived.

Saturday, Sept. 16, is the day of Auburn’s second annual Star Spangled Forever: Honoring Those Who Serve parade and the 13th annual Great Massabesic Duck Race.

Due to safety concerns from fire officials, the traditional annual bonfire is canceled this year.

The day will begin with a breakfast at the Longmeadow Congregational Church from 7 to 10 a.m., followed by the parade, which runs from the north end of Bunker Hill Road to the Auburn Village School, at 11 a.m.

It’s the second year the Auburn Lions Club has organized the parade.

Lions Club President Norm Bouley said the number of entries in the parade has swelled to 75 this year, and the procession will include a new duck mascot.

Following the parade will be the town fair ­ complete with rides, games and concessions from nonprofit groups ­ and the Auburn Historical Association’s annual duck race.

Prizes for winning ducks are as high as $1,000.

Several thousand ducks usually make the float.

Duck sales have gotten a boost this year from Jeff Davis, the night manager at Auburn’s Myles Travel Plaza.

Davis, who said he’s already sold more than 700 $5 tickets for duck entries, has developed the nickname “The Duck Hustler.”

“You ask 10 people and you might get two,” Davis said of duck hustling. “But this is a community event and the community has been really supportive.”

Auburn Fire Chief Bruce Phillips said the annual bonfire’s popularity, especially with people from out of town, has precipitated its cancellation.