Mad River Rotary Duck Race

Every Labor Day weekend, the Mad River Rotary hosts the annual Duck Race. Hundreds of rubber duckies are released into the Mad River, where community members, including children of all ages, wade in the cool waters, to cheer and eagerly await seeing who will have the winning duck this year, and take home the cash prize of $1000!

This annual fundraising raffle supports the efforts of the Mad River Rotary club. Rubber duckies are purchased throughout the summer at the Waitsfield Farmers Market and various other locations. Each person who makes a donation gets a duck, or 5 ducks to put in the race. The numbered rubber ducks are poured in at the starting point and “race” down a small section of the river to where spectators and “duck catchers” wait. 

The first 10 rubber ducks to cross the finish line win monetary prizes. This year’s event raised $20,438! The Rotary club uses these funds to support local organizations and global projects providing a broad range of services, from assistance for those in need, to arts and culture.

As two of the newest members of the Mad River Rotary, Bobby and I were very excited to attend this year’s event. The Duck Races have been around for many years, but in 2023 Photos By Kintz came on the scene to provide photography and drone coverage of the race and festivities. Check out our video!

It was fascinating watching this age-old tradition unfold, as longtime Rotary Club members unloaded the wooden contraption built to funnel the ducks into the most “catchable” pathway and temporarily secured it in the river. This task was trickier than usual with heavy summer rains giving the river a faster current. 

This year’s race was a quick one and it took the effort of everyone to gather the duckies and keep them from heading downstream. On this warm sunny day, most everyone joined the efforts. Watching the community gather together for events like this is what makes us love this Valley. 

See ya at next year’s race, 

Quack Quack!