Rubber Ducky Festival
August 10 - August 16
“DUCK” into BELLAIRE…let the “QUACKIN” begin. The Bellaire Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present the 32nd ANNUAL RUBBER DUCKY FESTIVAL in Downtown Bellaire, sponsored by Bellaire Family Health Center and Fischer Insurance.
Featuring a weeklong of events including Bay Area Big Band, Community Paddle Event, Commission on Aging Picnic, Duck and Glow 5k Run/Walk and 1 Mile Kiddie Dash, Grass River’s “Riverfest & Auction,” Corn Hole Tournament, Kids Activities, Rubber Ducky Parade and Race, and “Woodstock 2” Live Music. Finish the week with the return of the Short’s Glacial Hills Challenge XC on Sunday.
Rubber Ducky Festival’s biggest day is on Saturday August 17, featuring a quarter-mile race when 2000 yellow ducks are dumped into the Intermediate River, after Bellaire’s largest parade of the year, with the finish line at RIVERSIDE MARINA. Visitors can buy a $5 race ticket that corresponds to the number on a Rubber Duck. Ducks finishing the “Top 27” win a cash prize. Prizes: 1st– $500; 2nd -$300; 3rd – $100; 4th-7th place – $50; 8th-27th place – $10. Participants do not have to be present to win.
Saturday also features a Fine Arts & Craft Show with over 50+ vendors, Kid’s “Ducking Park” including games for all ages, bounce houses & slides, face painting, and a FREE kid’s movie. Smokey the Bear will be visiting. Downtown Bellaire will be alive with sidewalk and library book sales. Bellaire’s biggest parade of the season kicks off at 3:00 followed by the dropping of 2,000 ducks at the North Bridge Street Bridge.
This year’s festival is part of Bellaire’s 12 Days of Summer Celebration, kicking off with the 3-day Antrim County Fair, featuring a restaurant cook-off, dog show, family movie night and horse pulls.