Time is ticking! How to buy ducks for Cincinnati's annual Rubber Duck Regatta 🐤

Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer
Updated ·2 min read

Thousands of yellow rubber ducks will soon set sail for a noble cause.

The Freestore Foodbank 29th Annual Rubber Duck Regatta will be held virtually on Sunday, Sept. 3, during Riverfest, the region's annual end-of-summer bash. As its tagline, "Buy a duck, feed a child," proclaims, the yearly fundraiser supports the Freestore Foodbank, which provides meals to over 90,000 children in the region.

If helping a child in need isn't enough to entice you to participate, the first prize winner gets to drive home with a 2024 Honda HRV and a possible $1 million if their duck is the KEMBA "Million Dollar Duck."

Now that I've got you hooked, here's everything to know about the 2023 Rubber Duck Regatta.

When is the Rubber Duck Regatta?

The 29th annual Rubber Duck Regatta will be held virtually at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 3. Winners will be announced around 4 p.m. on WKRC (Local 12), the Freestore Foodbank's event partner.

How to buy ducks for the Rubber Duck Regatta?

You can purchase ducks online at rubberduckregatta.org or over the phone at 513-929-DUCK, through Sept. 3.

How much are rubber ducks?

Ducks are $5 each and can be bought individually or in bulk. Here's what all the package options include. Customizable purchase options are also available.

  • $25: five ducks plus one free.

  • $50 (Bob's Quack Pack): 10 ducks plus two free.

  • $100 (Football Duck Pack): 20 ducks plus four free.

  • $250: 50 ducks plus 10 free.

  • $500: 100 ducks plus 20 free.

Purchases of $50 or more also come with a free Rubber Duck Regatta t-shirt.

Ducks are $5 each and can be bought individually or in bulk for the annual Rubber Duck Regatta.
Ducks are $5 each and can be bought individually or in bulk for the annual Rubber Duck Regatta.

Rubber Duck Regatta 2023 prizes

This year's first-prize winner will receive a 2024 Honda HR-V courtesy of the Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Honda Dealers. The second prize winner will receive $5,200 in Kroger gift cards. Cash prizes valued at $500 will be awarded to the remaining five winners.

Like previous years, there's always the chance that a lucky participant could win a possible $1 million if their duck is the KEMBA "Million Dollar Duck."

Where do proceeds from the Rubber Duck Regatta go?

All proceeds from duck sales go directly to the Freestore Foodbank, which provides roughly 37.7 million meals yearly to 20 counties in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Rubber Duck Regatta: What to know about the 2023 fundraiser