Reedy River Duck Derby set for May 5

Listen to this article

Up to 10,000 yellow rubber ducks will speed through downtown on Saturday, May 5, for the 14th annual Reedy River Duck Derby.

According to a news release from the organizers, the Reedy River Duck Derby is the primary fundraising project of the Rotary Club of Greenville Evening. Past Derby funds raised by “duck adoptions” have been donated to the Mauldin Miracle League, Early Act First Knight and United Ministries.

The person whose duck is first to make it over the falls and through a chute at the bottom wins $75 a week in groceries for a year from Publix and an opportunity to win $1 million. The second place finisher gets $1,500 cash, the news release says. The third place finisher gets an all-expenses paid golf weekend at Embassy Suites.

“Just like the Kentucky Derby, there are grand prizes for winning, placing and showing,” Eric Krichbaum, president of the Rotary Club of Greenville Evening, said in the news release.  “There are also many other prizes for ducks that come in behind the first three.”

In addition to the actual duck race, the event includes local food vendors, family-friendly activities and live performances by local musicians. All-day parking is available for $5 in the parking garage off of  Camperdown Way near the falls, the news release says. The event starts at 10 a.m. and goes through 4 p.m. with a “post time” at 2:30 p.m.

A new addition to the derby this year is the Duck Derby Hat Contest, sponsored by Locally Epic. Attendants are encouraged to enter the contest and wear a hat with a duck motif to the Duck Derby. The hats will be reviewed by a panel of local celebrity judges and contest winners will be eligible for cash prizes.

“We are excited to be getting the opportunity to help the Duck Derby by bringing a fun, new element to the event,” Chase Michaels, CEO of Locally Epic, said in the news release.

A single duck sponsorship is $10 and a five-duck “Super Quack Pack” is available for $30 through April 14.  After April 14, the Quack Pack is four ducks for $30. For more information about adopting a duck visit reedyriverduckderby.com. You can adopt to support a team by selecting the Team tab at the top of the page.  To register for the hat contest, visit www.locallyepic.com/derbyhat. 

The Champion Duck sponsor is House of Raeford Farms and the Million Dollar Duck sponsor is McKinney Dodge.

“The Duck Derby brings the community together like nothing else. This year is lining up to be our best yet,” Krichbaum said in the news release. “Beautiful weather, great entertainment, the energy of downtown, and the fundraising element work together to make this an exciting community event.”