Rubber Duck Race
Thursday, July 9, 2026
3:30pm
Union Street Bridge, Downtown Traverse City
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Yellow Ducks are $5 each, $25 for a 6-Quack or $100 per corporate duck. Yellow Duck supplies donated by the National Cherry Festival.
per person
All Ages
Recommended ages
About This Event
Every year, on Thursday during the National Cherry Festival in downtown Traverse City, the Traverse City Optimist Club holds its annual Boardman River Duck Race. A sea of adopted rubber ducks will race down the mighty Boardman River in Traverse City raising funds for your favorite youth charities. Top finishing ducks will win great prizes and the first place duck will win the Grand Prize. REGISTER AND BUY A DUCK HERE: www.tcoptimist.org/duck-race/adopt-a-yellow-duck LAUNCH SITE: Hannah Lay Park at the Union Street Bridge. All ducks must be at the launch site by 3:30 pm on July 3rd. TIMING: Judges Decoration Awards: 3:45 pm Corporate Duck Launch: 4:00 pm Yellow Ducky Drop: 4:05 pm
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