34th Annual Duck Race

Sunday, September 21, 2025

​

Mark the date for the 2025 Gold Country Duck Race! Thousands of ducks will splash into the rapids. Some folks will win some big money... And don't worry, no ducks are harmed, as these aren't live ducks!

 

​The plastic ducks race (float!) down Deer Creek at the foot of Broad Street in downtown Nevada City, California.  The nearby Race Festival - food, drink, music and games - opens at noon in the Century 21 Cornerstone Realty parking lot. From there, you'll have a “bird’s eye” view of the racing ducks in the creek below.  Admission is free, and you can even enjoy an adult beverage!

​

The preliminary races begin at noon. The top 40 ducks in each of the four preliminary races qualify for the Grand Prize Final Race around 3:30 pm.

​

Race entry tickets will be available at the event or you can get them in advance: 49er Rotarians and other community groups begin offering Duck Race entry tickets in early summer. Each $5 ticket is eligible for the $2,500, $1,000 and $500 final race prizes... And there are many more prizes awarded in each of the preliminary races.

 

Proceeds from the race go directly to the many local projects of the 49er Breakfast Rotary Club. Even if you don't win a prize, you'll be making a difference in the community! Click HERE to see some of our projects.

 

The duck race is 49er Rotary’s annual fundraiser that over the years has raised almost $900,000. This is pumped directly back into service projects locally.

 

The Duck Race is the culmination of a big Nevada City weekend of Revolutionary War reenactments, the Annual Nevada City Constitution Day Parade - a tradition since 1967 - and then the Duck Race. Click HERE for more Constitution Weekend information.

 

For details or tickets, talk to a 49er Rotarian.