Vail Duck Race
Presented by: Vail Edwards Rotary Club
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2026 VAIL DUCK DERBY GRAND PRIZE WINNER!
The winning duck has officially crossed the finish line!
🏆 Grand Prize Winner: Michael Hoffman
💰 $5,000 GRAND PRIZE
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR PRIZE WINNERS
David Ferguson
Leah Mayer
Avon Frame Shoppe
Heather Yeager
Gwen Kleinert
Regan Schmergel
Jamie Ford
Sue Salsberg
Channing Lockaby
Connie Willenssen
Erin Karpowich
Cheryl Searle
Kent Myers
Fred Emch
Roberto Vera
Mary Anne Baker
Gary Babb
Thank you to everyone who adopted a duck and supported the 2026 Vail Duck Derby! Every duck adopted helps support the Vail Edwards Rotary Club and our local nonprofit partners.
Same ducks. Same great cause. A whole new way to race!
Labor Day Weekend
Sunday, September 6, 2026 | 3:00 PM
The Vail Duck Race is moving from water to land!
Solaris Plaza in Vail
Traditionally, the Vail Duck Race sends thousands of numbered rubber ducks racing down Gore Creek from the Covered Bridge to the International Bridge, with the first duck across the finish line winning the $5,000 GRAND PRIZE.
But this year, the ducks are trading Gore Creek for the turf at Solaris Plaza!
For the 2026 Vail Duck Derby, thousands of adopters will make their way through a series of FUN challenges with the help of our Duck Derby participants.
The ducks will travel across the Solaris Plaza turf through a Potato Sack Race, Hula Hoop Bucket Run and Duck Toss, eventually making their way to the final Duck Tube.
The first duck to emerge from the Duck Tube will be our $5,000 GRAND PRIZE WINNER!
Additional winning ducks will receive prizes generously donated by local Vail Valley businesses.
Same ducks. Same great cause. Same $5,000 GRAND PRIZE.
Just a NEW way to race!
Goal: $75,000
To enter the duck race, you adopt one or more ducks. If your duck is one of the first to cross the finish line, you’re a winner of the $5,000 or a prize!
Ducks are adopted rather than purchased because the Vail Edwards Rotary Club reuses the ducks every year, therefor the Club allocates more money to go to the community and international projects supported by the club.
How to Enter
Who We Support
The Vail Edwards Rotary Club has supported numerous local and international charities in our 56 years. Click below to learn more about the various projects and organizations we support.
What is the Vail Duck Race?
Traditionally, the Vail Duck Race sends thousands of numbered rubber ducks racing down Gore Creek from the Covered Bridge to the International Bridge, with the first duck across the finish line winning the $5,000 GRAND PRIZE.
But this year, the ducks are trading Gore Creek for the turf at Solaris Plaza!
For the 2026 Vail Duck Derby, thousands of adopters will make their way through a series of FUN challenges with the help of our Duck Derby participants.
The ducks will travel across the Solaris Plaza turf through a Potato Sack Race, Hula Hoop Bucket Run and Duck Toss, eventually making their way to the final Duck Tube.
The first duck to emerge from the Duck Tube will be our $5,000 GRAND PRIZE WINNER!
Additional winning ducks will receive prizes generously donated by local Vail Valley businesses.
Same ducks. Same great cause. Same $5,000 GRAND PRIZE.
Just a NEW way to race! 🐥