We have a total of 40,000 ducks racing in Lafayette and La Mirada this Week for two nonprofits who each help children in their community.
28th Annual Great Acadiana Running of the Ducks
Who: Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana in Lafayette, Louisiana
The 28th Annual Great Acadiana Running of the Ducks returns this week!
Where: Red Lerille’s Health & Raquet Club
When: March 28, 2018 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. EST.
Highlights: Duck race fans can enjoy music, family-friendly activities, and visit with Quacky the Duck. Fans can watch 35,000 rubber ducks slide down the waterslide into the pool where they will race to win one of 13 prizes!
This year’s prizes include weekly combo meals for a year to Sonic and Burgersmith, jewelry from Armentor Jewelers and an AT&T Technology Bundle package. In addition, other prizes include a year membership at Red Lerille’s and a gift certficate for one car wash each week for a year from Ambassador Car Wash. The quickest duck will win the grand prize of a 2018 Subaru Legacy from Giles Automotive.
The best part of this evening is that all of the funds raised directly benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana! The Boys & Girls Clubs provides:
- Ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals.
- A safe place for children to learn and grow.
- Life-enhancing programs and character development experience.
- Hope and opportunity!
Adopt a Duck and Help a Child’s Future!
Racer Website: http://www.bgcacadiana.com/runnings-of-the-ducks/
11th Annual Going Quackers for Kids Derby Duck Race
Who: Kiwanis of La Mirada
The ducks are headed to La Mirada, California this weekend for the 11th Annual Going Quackers for Kids Derby Duck Race.
Where: Splash La Mirada Aquatic Center in La Mirada
When: March 31, 2018. Sponsor and Derby Duck Race start at 11:00 a.m.
Highlights: The event begins with an Easter Egg Hunt and Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast. The Easter Egg Hunt and Pancake Breakfast starts at 9:00 a.m. and will end around 10:30 a.m. PDT. Then, at 11:00 a.m., the ducks will launch and start racing at SPLASH La Mirada Regional Aquatic Center. The ducks are swimming to win the grand prize of $1,500 in addition to many other prizes.
The La Mirada chapter began in November 1979 and all of its members continue to identify the service needs and raise funds for many organizations and families in need. Proceeds from the duck race will be divided among youth-based nonprofit organizations and schools within the community of La Mirada. Some of the nonprofits that will be raising money through forming a team include: Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire, Foster Road PTA, Meals on Wheels La Mirada, and High School Key Clubs.
Go QUACKERS for Kids and Adopt a Duck today before they sell out!
Racer Website: https://www.duckrace.com/lamirada
- March 27, 2018
Duck Fest Derby in Ft. Lauderdale on March 17
The 12th Annual Duck Fest Derby in Ft. Lauderdale on March 17 is this weekend. The Duck Fest Derby has a fun St. Patrick’s Day Theme this year so besides lots of yellow ducks, there will lots of green!
Who: Kids in Distress
Kids in Distress of Broward and Palm Beach counties (KID) is a licensed nationally accredited agency working for the prevention of child abuse, preservation of the family, and the treatment of abused and neglected children. From their small beginnings as a small shelter in 1979, KID programs have expanded into a comprehensive continuum of care that fills the gaps and meets the needs of at-risk children and families in their community.
Where: Ft. Lauderdale, FL at Esplanade Park
When: Saturday, March 17, 2018 starting at noon EDT.
Highlights: The KID Duck Fest Derby is celebrating 12 years of racing rubber ducks! Family activities include a bounce house, petting zoo, face painting, funny photo opportunities, fun with the Splash mascot, food trucks and more! The KID Olympics returns for another year and each child who participates in every Olympic event receives a chance to win a fun raffle prize.
Prizes: At 2:00 p.m., a total of 30,000 rubber ducks will make a splash as they race to win prizes such as a NCL Cruise for 2, a Seminole Hard Rock “Party Like a Rock Star” package, a gift certificate from Carroll’s Jewelers, golf for 4, gift baskets and more! The grand prize winner goes home with $10,000 cash!
Racer Website: www.duckfestderby.org
- March 13, 2018
2018 Fiesta Bowl Running of the Bills Duck Race
The 2018 Fiesta Bowl Running of the Bills Duck Race returns to Arizona this weekend to kick off our first duck race of the season.
The SRP Fiesta Bowl Running of the Bills Duck Race takes place on Saturday, March 10, 2018. The event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Scottsdale Waterfront Canal. The day is going to be filled with food, music and lots of yellow rubber ducks! The highlight will be watching 15,000 ducks launch and float down the Scottsdale Waterfront Canal while spectators cheer on their ducks. Proceeds from the duck race benefit Fiesta Bowl Charities. Fiesta Bowl strives to enhances organizations that contribute to the success of their communities through youth, sports and education. Through charitable giving, the organization continues to enhance nonprofit organizations across Arizona by contributing $2.5 million during the 2017-2018 season alone and $10 million in the last seven years.
This year, there is a Cornhole Tournament that is going on during the duck race. All cornhole participants will receive a duck adoption with their team entry.
The VID Duck Adoption Package gives the duck adopter some special perks. You receive a prime view of the duck race from a private patio, food and drink tickets and interactive games.
The grand prize winner wins $7,500.00.
Racer Website: www.runningofthebills.org
Here is a video highlighting the 2017 Fiesta Bowl Running of the Bills Duck Race:
- March 6, 2018
Happy New Years to our Nonprofit Partners! As 2017 comes to a close and you are thinking about resolutions for next year, spend some time thinking about some rubber duck race resolutions for 2018. We have compiled a list of resolutions that you can review and if any resonate with you, plan on incorporating them in your duck race planning.
Rubber Duck Race Resolutions for 2018
- Create a team sales kit to help increase team participation and encourage teams to meet their goals. One idea is to take an Adopt a Duck Reusable Bag and fill it with duck adoption papers and duck merchandise. In the team sales guide include sample emails, social media posts and sales tips. GAME has several different team sales guides you can use as an example.
- Increase online duck adoption sales by 20%.
- Create a What a Duck Can Do image illustrating how duck adoptions benefit your nonprofit. For example, a $5.00 duck adoption will provide a full day of nutritious meals and snacks for a child in a shelter. GAME has some examples from other racers or we can help you create an image.
- Produce a video to give a better visual representation of your duck race.
- Have your duck mascot schedule “Quacky” visits with your sponsors and then post those images on social media. Make sure to tag your sponsors in the posts!
- Contact another duck racer to learn more about their organization and duck race and exchange ideas. GAME can assist you with putting you in touch with someone.
- Add a new prize for your duck race.
- Board Member Challenge – Give 20 adoption papers to board members and challenge them to return all 20 completed.
- Bring a racing duck with you when you are traveling and post pictures of your travels with your duck. You can use the pictures to promote your duck race such as Where’s Quacky to help increase engagement.
- Have regularly scheduled duck race meetings to help keep everyone on track. Schedule a breakfast or lunch meeting where everyone gets together and gives updates on their various roles.
- Get your duck mascot on TV or have Quacky help with the weather forecast.
- Secure one new sponsor for your duck race.
- Add a new children’s activity for race day.
- Before the ducks get picked up for the next race, ensure that the ducks are clean and that the totes are arranged properly on the pallets.
If you have any resolutions that you would like to add to the list, please share them with us on Facebook! We are wishing all of our nonprofit partners a ducktacular 2018 Rubber Duck Race Season!
- December 27, 2017
Our Rubber Duck Racer Spotlight on Tampa, FL this month features our nonprofit partner, Kiwanis Club of Tampa who raced for the first time in 2017. They surpassed their original goal of 5,000 ducks and ended up ordering more ducks!
Organization Name: Kiwanis Club of Tampa
Years Racing with GAME: 2017 was our first year
Head Duck: Amanda Malinowski
Tell us a little bit about your organization and why you are racing Rubber Ducks: The Kiwanis Club of Tampa has been serving children in the Tampa community since 1919. We were looking for a new fundraiser that was fun, family-oriented, and would invite the community to join in on the fun and learn more about our organization.
What is your favorite part of planning a Rubber Duck Race: Thinking, talking and working with ducks all the time was so fun!
Do you have any duck race tips you would share with a first time racer? Put some thought into post race activities. We didn’t plan well for all the follow up activities that needed to happen after the race. Activities such as getting in touch with winners, thanking sponsors, and posting updates on our website and social media.
How do you keep your race fresh and new year after year? This was our first year, but we already have plans next year to make the race lane bigger and add more ducks! We will be also improving on our food offerings and entertainment.
What is something some people might not know about your organization and/or Rubber Duck Race? People don’t know that our organization also partners with other local nonprofits. We would love to have more partnerships for our duck race too!
What are some organizational goals you are trying to achieve with your Rubber Duck Race? We are hoping to eventually raise $50,000 for our duck race. Our goal is also to leverage the race to help with more media exposure so we can get more people familiar with our organization.
Favorite phrase or quote? Be the change you want to see in the world.
Favorite Ducktionary Phrase? Why did the duck cross the road? Because he wasn’t a chicken!
- November 29, 2017
The 2017 duck race season ends with two races this weekend in Glendale, California and Jasper, Georgia. A total of 23,000 ducks are racing!
13th Annual Kiwanis Incredible Duck Splash
The Kiwanis Club of Glendale is racing for their 13th year in 2017. Duck race proceeds benefit numerous youth-oriented non-profits, programs, activites and schools throughout the city of Glendale and other communities of Los Angeles County. Every single adopted duck helps improve the lives of children, senior citizens and veterans in the community.
Where: Lake Glendale at Verdugo Park.
When: October 28, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. PDT.
Highlights: The Duck Splash has a Halloween theme this year. Quacktivities include food, games and entertainment. What makes the race in Glendale unique is the man-made course called Lake Glendale that is created every year. A total of 18,000 ducks will be racing in Lake Glendale for a chance at some fantastic prizes.
Prizes: The first place winner goes home with $10,000 cash. The 2nd and 3rd place winners go home with $1,000 cash and the 4th and 5th place winners will receive $500 each.
Racer Website: www.duckrace.com/glendale
1st Annual Great 515 Duck Derby
Who: Boys & Girls Clubs of North Georgia
This is the first Duck Derby for the Boys & Girls Club! Founded in 2005, the Boys & Girls Club of North Georgia serves the youth of Pickens and Gilmer Counties. The Boys & Girls Clubs of North Georgia provide safe places for children to learn and grow and provide hope and opportunity for all youth who enter their doors.
Where: Cartecay River Experience in Ellijay, Georgia
When: October 28, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT. The ducks launch at noon.
Highlights: A total of 5,000 rubber ducks will be released into the Cartecay River and race to the finish line.
Prizes: The grand prize winner goes home with $2,500 cash. The 2nd place winner will experience a weekend vacation package for two and 3rd place wins a 60″ flat screen TV. Duck fans have the opportunity to win many more prizes.
Racer Website: www.515duckderby.org
- October 24, 2017
The ducks are headed to Santa Clarita, CA this weekend for the 15th Annual Rubber Ducky Festival benefiting Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers.
15th Annual Rubber Ducky Festival
Who: Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers, Inc.
Samuel Dixon Family Health Center enhances wellness by providing quality outpatient health care services and programs, health education, and community resources in the Santa Clarita Valley. Their goal is to ensure that all Santa Clarita Valley residents have access to affordable, quality health care, with special emphasis aimed at uninsured or under-insured residents.
Where: Santa Clarita, CA at Bridgeport Park (Valencia)
When: Saturday, October 14, 2017 from 11:00 a.mm – 2:00 p.m. PDT.
Highlights: This free, family festival kicks off with a man-made “pond” and raceway! Several race heats will occur throughout the day with 5,000 rubber ducks racing to compete for the top prizes. The event includes a food court area with gourmet food trucks, and a stage filled with local talent and performers. For the kids there is a rock climbing wall, face painting, bounce houses, games and activities. People attending the event can put their name in for raffle prizes!
Prizes: It’s all about the cash for this ducktacular event! The top three winning ducks go home with either $500, $1,500, or $2,500!
Racer Website: www.duckrace.com/scv
- October 11, 2017
We have a total of 50,000 rubber ducks racing to start October. Ducks are racing in Wilmington, Delaware and Kennewick, Washington.
29th Annual Mid-Columbia Duck Race
Who: Tri-Cities Rotary
The Mid-Columbia Duck Race is a cooperative fundraising event for the six Rotary clubs of the Tri-Cities. The six clubs include: Columbia Center, Columbia Valley Daybreak, Pasco-Kennewick, Richland, Richland Riverside and Tri-Cities Sunrise. Over $2 million has been raised in the 29 years since the duck race’s inception.
Where: Columbia Park in Kennewick, Washington
When: Saturday, October 7, 2017. Ducks race at noon PDT.
Highlights: Hosted by the Tri-Cities Rotary, duck race fans can enjoy vendors, food, bounce houses and more! A total of 40,000 rubber ducks will splash down at Columbia Park in Kennewick and race in the Columbia River. Over 40 prizes are given away including the grand prize of a 2017 Toyota RAV4 LE AWD.
The clubs split the profits from the Duck Race and donate to elected charities and nonprofits!
Racer Website: www.tcduckrace.com
Delaware Humane Association’s 4th Annual Rubber Duck Race
Who: Delaware Humane Association
Founded in 1957, the Delaware Humane Association is a premiere no-kill nonprofit animal care and adoption center serving a four-state area. DHA provides temporary shelter for homeless cats and dogs, affordable spay/neuter services, pet adoptions, and more.
Where: Wilmington, DE at Brandywine Town Center Fountain
When: Sunday, October 8, 2017 from 1-4 p.m. EDT – Ducks race at 2:30 p.m.
Highlights: Back for its fourth year, this duck race helps homeless cats and dogs in the area. Proceeds from every duck feeds a cat or dog for a day. Race festivities include music, a “tail” gating party at Red Robin, contests and prizes from Camp Bow Wow, facepainting, a moonbounce, photo opportunities with the mascot “Splash” and more!
Prizes: The first four ducks out of 10,000 to reach the finish line win great prizes for their duck adopters. Prizes include $2,500 in cash, (4) one-day Hopper Passes to Walt Disney World and a week stay in Orlando, Florida, a $1,000 in Shop Rite Gift Cards and a long weekend stay in Ocean City, Maryland. All ducks are automatically registered for a chance to win $25,000 during the race.
Racer Website: www.delawareduckrace.com
- October 4, 2017
We have a total of 5,000 rubber ducks racing in the Tired Dog Rescue Duck Derby this weekend. Learn how to get your ducks in a row for this quacky event!
2nd Annual Tired Dog Rescue Duck Derby
Who: Tired Dog Rescue
The ducks are heading to Gulfport this weekend! Tired Dog Rescue’s mission is to rescue neglected, abandoned and abused dogs in the Gulfport, Mississippi area. The dogs they take in receive all the medical care they need regardless of the cost and they ensure they are adopted into loving homes through their 100% volunteer based foster program. Tire Dog also assists low-income families along the Gulf Coast with food and/or medical care for their pets as long as funds are available.
Where: Margaritaville Resort in Biloxi, MS
When: Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CDT
Highlights: Join the fun for an afternoon filled with a silent auction, food, kid’s activities, raffles and giveaways! Learn about all the dogs available for adoption (or foster) and all the wonderful work the volunteers at Tired Dog Rescue are all about! Adopt a Duck. Save a Life.
Prizes: 5,000 ducks will be swimming for some Quacktastic cash prizes: $1,500, $1,000 and $500!
Racer Website: http://www.tireddogrescueduckderby.com
- September 26, 2017
The ducks haven’t stopped swimming and we have ducks racing in Las Vegas and Redding this weekend. Here are the details about each race:
16th Annual Las Vegas Lucky Duck Family Festival
Who: Foundation for Positively Kids
Foundation for Positively Kids was founded in 1999 to deliver high quality healthcare services for Southern Nevada children. The organization places emphasis on providing quality of life for medically medically fragile and/or developmentally delayed children, birth to 18, and their families. Proceeds from the duck race provide programs and services that have a positive effect on the growth and development of these children.
Where: Downtown Summerlin in Las Vegas, Nevada
When: Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. PDT. Duck pluck every 30 minutes.
Highlights: The Las Vegas Lucky Duck Family Festival offers an afternoon of fun with games, entertainment, vendor booths, food and a chance to win great prizes. A total of 5,000 ducks are competing and every 30 minutes ducks are plucked.
Prizes: Get lucky with a ducky! Top ducks will be plucked and win fabulous prizes. One lucky duck adopter may win the grand prize of $250,000 if their duck is plucked and is a pre-selected winning duck. Other prizes include a CRAVE Gift Card, fitness memberships and UNLV Basketball Tickets.
Racer Website: www.duckrace.com/lasvegas
28th Annual Redding East Rotary Ducky Derby
The Redding East Rotary Club has partnered with Substance Abuse Prevention Programs and Youth Development to raise funds for the Rotary Foundation Against Substance Abuse. Since its inception nearly $4 million dollars has returned to local communities for Youth Development Programs and drug/alcohol free activities. These programs have benefited countless young people in the community.
Where: Redding, CA at Caldwell Park
When: Sunday, September 25, 2016 at 1:30pm PDT
Highlights: 35,000 rubber ducks will drop into the Sacramento River from under the Diestelhorst Bridge. Duck fans will cheer on their ducks hoping that they are a winner.
Prizes: The grand prize winner will get to go on a houseboat vacation from Shasta Marina plus a $500 gift card to the Shasta Marina Store. Second place receives 4 tickets to a Giants game including a hotel stay and dinner. The third place winner will look beautiful in a diamond earring set from Devon’s Jewelers. The fourth prize is a women’s Harley Switchback Riding Jacket.
Racer Website: www.reddingduckyderby.com
- September 20, 2017
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