The weekend is almost here, and if you’re looking for something fun to do, Fort Lauderdale’s charitable spring tradition is back! This weekend, New River will be filled with around 45,000 sunglasses-wearing rubber ducks as they race to the finish line.
Presented by JM Family Enterprises, the Duck Fest Derby serves as a fundraiser where 100% of the proceeds benefit Kids In Distress (KID) and Family Central (FCI), organizations that support over 20,000 children and families annually across South Florida. The event also doubles as a themed festival, offering games, food trucks, music and more fun for the entire family. This year’s theme brings the nostalgia with “High School Homecoming”!
When will the Duck Fest Derby take place?
The 20th annual race kicks off this Saturday, April 18 at Esplanade Park, from noon to 3 p.m. The park is located at 400 SW 2nd Street, right next to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and across from the Museum of Discovery & Science.
How can I adopt a duck for the Duck Fest Derby?
To participate in the race, individuals can purchase (or adopt) a duck starting at $5. There’s no limit to how many you can adopt and some even choose to form teams to raise money collectively. Every splash makes a difference!
What if your duck wins?
As the ducks float down the river, the first ones to cross the finish line earn incredible prizes. Among them, the grand prize is a whopping $10,000!
So get your ducks in a row, gather your flock and head to the Duck Fest Derby, which is free to attend! If you want to plunge into the action, you can learn more and adopt a duck directly on their website.
If you’re wondering what happens to all 45,000 ducks after the race, a dedicated team of volunteers make sure to scoop up every single duck from the river. They are then stored away to race again next year!
