It was just ducky!
The annual Marion Rotary Duck Derby again raised money for a good cause and a good time.

A member of Ocala Fire Rescue and a member of Ocala Recreation and Parks get 5,000 rubber ducks floating on the race course in Lake Tuscawilla at Tuscawilla Park during the 6th Annual Marion Rotary Duck Derby at Tuscawilla Park in Ocala, Fla. on Saturday, January 18, 2025. The Duck Derby was hosted by Marion County Rotary Clubs. Participants could adopt ducks online, by mail, from a sponsoring business, or at the event’s Duck Race booth. Each of the 5,000 ducks was tagged with the adopter’s information and were launched into the park’s pond. The first few ducks to cross the finish line earned cash prizes for their adopters. Funds raised through the Duck Derby support the Discovery Science Center, Ocala’s hands-on science center located in Tuscawilla Park, as well as other charitable causes backed by the Marion County Rotary Clubs. Over the years, the Duck Derby has raised more than $90,000, and combined with grants and sponsorships, has contributed over $200,000 to the Discovery Science Center. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025.
While the afternoon sunshine was a welcome relief for attendees at the sixth annual Marion Rotary Duck Derby on Jan. 18, you can bet it was a little nippy for the volunteers entering the chilly waters of Tuscawilla Lake to pull off the event.
The annual fundraiser is hosted by Marion County Rotary Clubs, with proceeds to benefit the Discovery Science Center, located inside the park, as well as other charitable causes supported by the clubs. All of those who organize the event are volunteers.
Ahead of the derby, workers tagged 5,000 yellow rubber ducks that were “adopted” for a fee. The first few ducks to float across the finish line earned cash prizes for their adopters. This year’s winners were Kim Algarra, $2,000; Ryan McClure, $1,500; Jamie Bentley, $750; Harry Coene, $400; Elease Lake, $250; Mallory Miranda, $250; and Laurie Roberts, $250.
According to volunteer Rotarian Tim Dean ahead of the event, “Our Rotary Club of Ocala is the lead club, but we get support from the other four clubs too. The city of Ocala supports us. It’s been a nice public, private partnership.”
Prior derby events have raised more than $90,000 for the family-friendly science center, and, when you add in grants and sponsorships, the total reaches over $200,000. The final results for this year were still being tallied at the writing.
In addition to watching the race, derby attendees were treated to kid-friendly activities and free hot dogs.
To learn more, go to duckrace.com/Ocala and find the event on social media.