37th Annual Duck Race

Thursday, July 4, 2024

(Kids Day of National Cherry Festival) @ UNION ST. BRIDGE

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.

Everyone is welcome to adopt a yellow duck, $5 for one duck or $25 for a 6 quack of 6 ducks. You do not need to be present to participate or win! Local businesses can also get involved by sponsoring a Corporate Duck to participate in the decoration contest and race.

Funds go to support local youth organizations, below are just a few that have received grants over the past several years.

• Arts for All
• Big Brothers/Big Sisters
• Boots for Kids
• Child & Family Services
• Goodwill of Northern MI
• Great Lakes Children’s Museum
• GT Bay YMCA
• Inland Seas Education Assoc.-Youth Programs
• Junior Achievement
• Norte
• Salvation Army
• Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center
• Traverse City Optimist Club Youth Foundation

A big thank you to our amazing sponsors!