Get ready for one of the South Coast’s most beloved traditions — the Duck Derby! This fast-paced, feel-good community event is your chance to have fun and make a difference for local wildlife.
How It Works
On October 1, 2025, thousands of rubber ducks, each sponsored by supporters like you, will ride the incoming tide from Buzzards Bay into Allens Pond in a dash to the finish line. While the race is not viewable to the public, the Duck Derby will get quacking coverage thanks to our feather-friendly emcee, Gazelle from Fun107. After the race, watch for his thrilling minute to minute commentary as our ducks wing their way to victory.
This year’s top three ducks will earn one of three unique experience-based prizes (the grand prize winner picks first, and the other winners choose their prizes in the order they finished):
- Stone Barn Soirée: Dine like VIPs at Allens Pond’s historic Stone Barn with a chef-crafted feast celebrating the flavors of sea and soil.
- Picnic with the Barnyard Elite: Sneak behind the scenes at Drumlin Farm for rare animal encounters, then lounge with a gourmet picnic fit for your crew.
- Osprey Odyssey: Set sail on the Westport River for up-close Osprey viewing with a naturalist guide, topped off with a riverside gourmet picnic.
Other prizes include a Mass Audubon Family Membership, a Duck Derby swag bag, and the coveted “Slacker Quacker” award for the last duck to finish.
Rest assured that no duck will be left behind! To ensure we keep our waterways clean, every last duck will be scooped up when the race is done.
Sponsor a Duck
Sponsor your racing duck online now through Tuesday, September 30, at 11:59 pm ET. After that, online sales close—so don’t delay!
Please read the Duck Derby Official Rules for more information about winner selection, prize claims, and event regulations.
(Online sales only)
Why It Matters
When you sponsor a duck, you’re directly supporting Mass Audubon’s Coastal Waterbird Program—a nationally recognized initiative protecting vulnerable shorebirds and restoring the coastal habitats we all depend on.
In 2024, the program:
- Protected 379 pairs of Piping Plovers.
- Worked at 203 sites along 141 miles of Massachusetts coastline.
- Installed protective fencing, monitored nests, educated beachgoers, and partnered with communities to safeguard our shores.
Every duck in the race is a win for the nature of Massachusetts!
Join the Fun in Person
Stop by one of these upcoming events to sponsor a duck and learn about Mass Audubon’s conservation work.
- September 4: Duck Derby Kickoff Celebration at Buzzards Bay Brewing (4:00-6:00 pm)
- September 13: Cape Wildlife Festival at Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary
- September 20: South Shore Lobsterfest, Marshfield
- September 26-28: South Coast Harvest Festival, Westport
- October 3: Duck Derby Celebration at the Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary Stone Barn (12:00-1:30 pm)
You don't have to be present at any race-related events to win.
Sponsors
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible sponsors—your generous support keeps our ducks racing and our community thriving!
Wingmates
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Community Nest
- Fiber Optic Center, Inc.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Make a splash for conservation by becoming a Duck Derby 2025 sponsor! Your support helps protect South Coast shorebirds and the coastal habitats they call home—and puts your brand front and center with thousands of community members who care about nature.
From our Sponsor & Community Celebration at Buzzards Bay Brewing to festival booths and race-day celebrations, sponsors get quack-worthy recognition all season long.
Volunteer With Us
Help make this beloved community event a success by supporting duck sales in the weeks leading up to Race Day. Whether you're helping at pop-up booths, chatting with festival-goers, or spreading the word in your neighborhood, your time and energy help fuel conservation efforts and build excitement for the big race. It’s a fun, low-lift way to connect with fellow nature lovers and support Mass Audubon’s mission—one duck at a time!
Stay Connected
Don't miss a beat on all the ways you can get outdoors, celebrate nature, and get involved.