The Mad River Valley Rotary (MRV Rotary) is gearing up for its annual Great Duck Race, set to take place on Sunday, August 31, at Lareau Park, Route 100, in Waitsfield. Four thousand little plastic ducks will race down the Mad River, with the goal of raising $15,000 to support the Mad River Valley community.
Kim Olds, the committee chair, emphasized the event’s dual purpose: “This event is a blast for everyone, but it’s also the Rotary’s biggest fundraising event of the year. Community needs are growing, and we’re committed to doing more to keep the Mad River Valley thriving.” Proceeds from the race will support vital community initiatives, including food security, affordable childcare, education, and the arts.
Participants can adopt ducks at the Farmers Market on Saturdays, outside Mehuron’s on Fridays, or online at http://mrvrotary.rallyup.com/duckrace2025. In addition, for the second year, Rotary is offering the Mad Duck 100, which features a limited field of 100 participants and offers a first prize of $1,500.
The Great Duck Race promises a day filled with fun, family activities, and community spirit. The event will kick off at 2 p.m. at Lareau Park, where attendees can enjoy kids’ activities, food, and the excitement of watching the ducks race down the river. A highlight of the day is the opportunity to help Rotary volunteers retrieve the ducks after they cross the finish line.
For more information about the event, how to participate, or how to join in all the Rotary fun, visit mrvrotary.org.
