Rotarians gear up for duck derby in Ocala

These are some of the 5,000 rubber ducks in the Marion Rotary Duck Derby on Feb. 12, 2022. The next derby will be held Jan. 18. [Photo by Bruce Ackerman]

If it looks like a yellow rubber duck and it floats like a yellow rubber duck, it might just be the yellow rubber duck that puts up to $2,000 in your pocket.

The sixth annual Marion Rotary Duck Derby will take place Jan. 18 at Tuscawilla Park. That will be when 5,000 of the bobbing plastic waterfowl will be plopped into the lake and make their way to the finish line, where their adopters could potentially win cash prizes.

The festivities will begin at 11 a.m., with the duck race at 2 p.m. You can adopt one duck for $5, or adopt five and get one free. Each adoption comes with a free hot dog and drink.

The derby is hosted by Marion County Rotary Clubs. Rotarian Tim Dean helps coordinate the event, along with several others, all of whom are volunteers.

“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,” Dean said.

The funds from the Duck Derby will support the Discovery Center, a family-friendly science center that promotes interactive learning and encourages individuals to expand their knowledge, and other charities supported by the Marion County Rotary Clubs. The Discovery Center is located in Tuscawilla Park, at 800 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala.

Over the past few years, Duck Derby events have raised more than $90,000 and, including grants and sponsorships, over $200,000 for the Discovery Center, noted Mollie Miranda in a media release.

The derby prize money is substantial: $2,000 for the first-place duck, $1,500 for second place, $750 for third place, $450 for fourth place and $250 each awarded in three drawings. The “Gazette” asked Dean, “After the prize money is awarded, how much do you typically donate to the Discovery Center?”

“Usually, around $12,000 to $15,000 per year to help them with exhibits,” he stated. “We also helped them revitalize the upstairs originally and install an elevator. The Discovery Center is a cool place, inspiring for kids. It’s nice to be able to help.”

According to the FAQ section on the derby website, everyone who adopts a duck—whether online, in the mail, at a Duck Race booth the day of the event or at a sponsoring business—is entered into the E-Quack database. The tag range is entered, and the numbers are shuffled. E-Quack automatically assigns the number of ducks you have adopted next to tag numbers. So, if you adopted five ducks, your name will be placed next to five different tag numbers.

You must be at least 18 years old to adopt a duck. You may be able to adopt a duck up to an hour before the event, as long as it does not sell out before that. You do not need to be present to win prizes.

For details and to adopt what might me be your lucky duck, go to duckrace.com/ocala

Jonine Dale holds her daughter, Noelle, during the Marion Rotary Duck Derby at Tuscawilla Park on Feb. 12, 2022. [Photo by Bruce Ackerman]