Making A Splash For 23 Years: Yellow Duck Derby Down Pawcatuck River

PAWCATUCK, CT — This would have been its quarter-century anniversary had not the pandemic twice scuttled the race enjoyed by tens of thousands on the Pawcatuck River, the waterway whose banks fall in both Connecticut and Rhode Island. We're talking about the popular Pawcatuck River Duck Race.

Begun in 1998, but canceled in 2020 and 2021, thousands of rubber duckies haven been (gently) dumped into the Pawcatuck for what's called a race but is more a floating derby. The ducks are in no rush.

Born from a defunct similar duck race that had been a Mystic River tradition, the Pawcatuck River race was created 25 years ago by the Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce, now renamed Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce.

The 23rd duck drop is set for Saturday, April 29, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. when 20,000 rubber ducks are dumped into the River. The event, which raises money for more than 40 local charities, includes a ducky carnival-type celebration with children's games, rides, food booths, and other activities.

The ducks are dropped from a front-end pay loader on the side of the bridge and land in the river in a controlled lane of oil booms aided by US Coast Guard members and community volunteers, according to organizers.

The race is regulated by officials and spotters who are stationed with numerous boats, nets, and buckets to retrieve all ducks.

"We are good stewards of the environment and can ensure the safe return of all ducks to shore," the Chamber blurb on the race reads.

Learn more here.