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Estes Park Duck Race

When visiting Estes Park, Colorado, you’ll find a land of beauty and a fresh pine smell in the air. Estes Park is home to the gorgeous Rocky Mountain National Park, which attracts thousands upon thousands of visitors each year. A vacation paradise, it’s a not-to-be-missed destination.

If you are in the area during springtime, you must come by and see the annual Estes Park Duck Race. This race has been held for 21 years right here in this wonderful mountain town, a major fundraiser for local charities.

Thousands of dollars in prizes! Some of the prizes in the 2009 race were:

  • A Sony 52-inch LCD TV
  • A Samsung 42-inch LCD TV
  • An HP 17-inch Laptop Computer with selected software
  • A Panasonic Home Theater Kit
  • A Garmin Automotive GPS System
  • (2) Nikon CoolPix Digital Cameras

Fascinating for young and old alike, this race is something to behold. Thousands of floating yellow ducks are set loose on the river, making their way enthusiastically towards the finish line. Bobbing and twisting on the river, the ducks fly to the finish.

Ducks are adopted prior to the race. Locals and visitors donate $20 to adopt a duck. On the “adoption” form they select a charity for their donation. The sponsoring Rotary Club of Estes Park keeps only one dollar out of every 20 to use for next year’s race.

In 2008, 6506 little rubber duckies were dropped from the big red cage into the water. This number was a bit down from the prior year at 7,000 little “quackers.” In 2009, 5,903 ducks made the leap into the Fall River. Eagle Rock school sold the most duck adoptions with the second runner up being the 8th Grade Washington Trip Fund. These two schools enter a competition with each other every year as to who can sell more. More than 800 people won prizes in 2009.

As the live music plays, large crowds gather to find out which duck will win. The kids gather around the mascots, Bruiser the Dog and Quiltin T. Canvassback (the official mascot). Men stand by in the river to save any snagged duck so all finish the race with no forfeits. It’s teamwork and a supporting crowd that make this race possible.

When the Estes Park Duck Race is done, after the winners take home their prizes, you can take off for the wilderness for some hiking or fishing, some golfing or climbing. There’s so much to do and see. Whatever you love best in outdoor recreation, you’ll find here in Estes Park. Bring the whole family to enjoy the Estes Park Duck Race and Rocky Mountain National Park. It will be an experience you won’t soon forget.

Date: May 01, 2010 update info
Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Event Cost: 20.00 per duck
Venue: Nicky's - Estes Park, CO
Phone: (970) 586-9519
Email:
Website: rotaryclubofestespark.org
Event Details: Contestants can adopt a duck or two for one of the most fun races to occur in Estes Park. The ducks begin their race at Nicky's and cross the finish line at Riverside Pizza. Incredible prizes and local community support make this event fun for everyone!

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