Minnehaha Creek Duck Race
The Duck Race is one of the most beloved spring events in South Minneapolis. Each year, hundreds of neighbors gather along Minnehaha Creek to cheer on thousands of bright yellow rubber ducks as they race downstream. It’s a joyful, high‑energy community tradition that brings together families, local businesses, and visitors from across Minneapolis.
Saturday, May 2, 2026
11:00am - 2:00pm
Minnehaha Creek
Start: 12th Avenue Bridge & Minnehaha Parkway
Finish: 17th Avenue and Minnehaha Parkway
Buy Your Duck Today!
Spice up race day by sponsoring a duck (or a flock of them). After the race, stop by the FRNNG table to check out the posted list to see if your duck is among the first across the finish line. If you’re in the top 20, pick out a prize at the race (you must be present to win). Stay tuned to hear about the 2026 grand prize.
Purchase a Gray Duck raffle ticket for a chance to win extra prizes like gift cards to your favorite local places! You do not need to be present to win the Gray Duck raffle, as these ducks do not race down the creek.
How will you know if you’ve won?
We have a master list with everyone’s duck numbers. As the ducks make it to the finish line, we record numbers, start announcing winners and post winning duck numbers and names at the FRNNG booth. Stop by to check how your duck did and pick up a prize if you’re in the top 20!
Discover the Fun of Being a Duck Race Volunteer
Many hands on deck make this event a success and great fun for our community. There are many ways to get involved, from set-up before the event, clean-up after, collecting duckies from the creek, and much more.
Event Highlights:
Sponsor a duck (or a whole flock of them) and cheer them along to win prizes.
Enter the Gray Duck prize raffle
Live music from The Jolly Pops
Free face painting for kids (and adults!) from Artrageous Adventures.
Inflatable obstacle course for kids (free!)
Food trucks: Finer Meats & Eats, Muddy Tiger, Egg Roll Queen, Saint Pops and MinneDonuts.
Meet Minneapolis Firefighters and see a Minneapolis Fire Department Truck.
Fun activities and tables from Minneapolis Animal Care & Control (including adoptable pups!), Minneapolis Parks’ Water Quality, Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling, Friends of Lake Hiawatha, Hennepin County Libraries, International Experience, MPD Mounted Police and more.
We love our creek: every single duck is collected from the creek and saved for future races. We also have bags and gloves for anyone who can help collect trash and recycling along the creek during the event. Pick them up at our table at the start of the race (12th & Minnehaha).
Everyone is welcome, so bring your family and friends and enjoy the outdoors with us! Furry friends on leashes are welcome, too.
Business Sponsorships & Tabling
Showcase your business to thousands of community members by sponsoring the Duck Race! This popular event draws attendance from across the Twin Cities to cheer on thousands of rubber ducks making their way down Minnehaha Creek. Attendance at the event has ranged from 500-1,000 over the last few years.
We offer a range of sponsorship and tabling options for local businesses Nonprofits and government agencies can table for free by emailing frnng@frnng.org.
We have a range of sponsorship options including:
Rubber Ducky Level: $100. Table at the event to directly reach community members! Bring your own table or tables are available for a $20 rental fee.
Gray Duck Level: $250. Table at the event and share business name/link/logo at www.frnng.org/duck-race.
Golden Goose Level: $500. Includes all the benefits in the previous tier plus recognition in the FRNNG Close to Home newsletter (reaches nearly 10,000 residents and businesses) and on FRNNG social media.
