Get Your Rubber Duckies Here!

duckraceGLCM is once again selling Rubber Duckies to race in the 30th Annual TC Optimist Boardman River Duck Race- held on Thursday, July 6, 2017, at 4 p.m. (Kids Day of National Cherry Festival) @ UNION ST. BRIDGE.

What is the TC Optimist Boardman Duck Race? Every year on the first Thursday of the National Cherry Festival in downtown Traverse City, the Traverse City Optimist Club holds its annual Boardman River Duck Race. The starting point for this race is by the U.S. Post Office off of the Union Street Bridge. Here participants may enter their ducks into the race.

Ducks are available here at the Great Lakes Children’s Museum!

Each year 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.

1st Prize: $200 Meijer Gift Card

2nd Prize: $150 Meijer Gift Card

3rd Prize: $100 Meijer Gift Card

Plus 20 more gift certificates to McLain Cycle & Fitness!

Your adoption donation ($5 for one duck or $25 for a 6 quack of 6 ducks), will be used by the TC Optimist Club in the support of local youth groups in our area. You do not need to be present to participate or win! Your generous duck adoption funds go to support local youth organizations!

How does duck adoption work?

Through the online form or at the front desk of the Great Lakes Children’s Museum. The adoption paper, along with the donation ($5 for one duck or $25 for a 6 quack of 6 ducks), is turned into the Optimist Club for monitoring. Each duck will have a number, which corresponds with its owner’s adoption paper. A receipt with your duck or duck’s numbers will be given to you or emailed back to you.

All ducks must be delivered and registered at the bridge by 3:30 pm. Ducks will be dropped from the bridge at 4 pm, and finish at the Traverse City Chamber of Commerce.

The event will be broadcast live on the radio. You can “Tune – In” and Listen to the play by play on Race Day by turning to, – Fox 94.3 – Radio – The Duck Station!

Great thanks, recognition, and pride come to those that make this event possible.