Duck Race Rules
The rules are simple.
Adopt a Duck
Adopt a duck, or a Quack Pack of 5 ducks.
Receive a confirmation email, with your duck number (one number per transaction — so all 5 ducks in the Quack Pack will have the same number on them.)
Check your email the day before the race for the video link.
If one of your ducks crosses the finish line first or second, you will win a cash prize of $1000 for first or $500 for second place.
You do not have to be present to win.
Other Rules
Duck Adoptions Online end at 12pm, noon the day before the race.
(we need time to number the ducks!)
However, you can still get in on the race and adopt ducks up until 30 minutes before the race starts by signing up in person.
By adopting a duck, you are giving us permission to send you emails. Don’t worry, we don’t do a lot of that.
However, you can always unsubscribe from our email list at any time.
We just advise waiting until after the race is over and the winners are announced, so you don’t miss out on important race information.
In the event of a weather delay, we will inform you of the date change as soon as possible.
Other Other Rules
First of all, no motorized ducks! Now that we got that out of the way…
The Ducks “drop” on race day at the Judges’ discretion. Usually, it happens about 2:30pm.
Audience members, adopters, sponsors are welcome to join us cheering on the ducks, but are not allowed to interfere with their travel down the river.
The first three ducks are collected as they pass the finish line by the Judges. The Judges’ decision are final.
Slightly more official rules…
1. Once ducks are launched, they are on their own, except that the race committee reserves the right to free them if caught in branches or other river impediments.
2. Winners will be determined by the number on the adoption paper corresponding to the number on each duck in order of finish. If an un-adopted duck should finish in the top three, that number shall be disallowed in favor of the next adopted duck to finish the race.
3. Decision of the judges stationed at the finish line will be final. Judges are not elligible to win.
4. Winners will be announced at the end of the race.
5. It is not necessary for adopters to be present to claim their prize(s). If not in attendance, they will be contacted by phone or e-mail. Winners will be instructed on the method of claiming their prize.
6. Names of the winners will be included in a press release to the local news papers, on our social media and on this site.
7. The race is being supervised by the Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary Club (503)(c) charitable organization) and is for the benefit of the charities and programs that they designate. All are eligible to apply for club membership to help us help our communities.
Finer Print
The Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary Duck Race on the Charles is a random drawing raffle; it is presented for the benefit of Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary Club, a non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3).
The Duck Race shall be open to legal residents of the United States who are at least 18 years of age. Winners must show proper identification when claiming prizes. The prizes may not be substituted or exchanged.
By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Judges, which are binding and final on matters relating to this sweepstakes. All federal, state and local laws apply. Void where prohibited.
Adoption purchases are not tax deductible. Donations made through the site are tax deductible.
To enter, eligible entrants must purchase a raffle chance (“adopt a duck”) at $5 each, 5 ducks for $20, or 25 ducks for $100 online, at race site, or via mail. Online entries must be received by 12 noon the day before the race. Adoptions may be suspended at any time by the Judges.
Odds of winning depend on total number of qualified entries. Duck numbers will be randomly assigned prior to the race. Plastic ducks will be launched in the Charles River, or at an alternative site, on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Norfolk, MA. Date and location are subject to change without notice.
In the case of a weather issue where the race cannot be held on the water, winners will be picked at random in a “Pluck a Duck” scenario.
No attempt to free or interfere with any duck will be permitted, unless deemed necessary by the Judges. The Judges reserves the right to manually maneuver ducks along the course and terminate the race and determine the winners by random selection.
Only ducks provided by the Judges will be entered, and all ducks remain the property of the Judges.
Prizes will be awarded in order to eligible entrants, as name appears on adoption form or online entry, whose entry number corresponds with number of the first three (3) official race ducks in order of finish. In case of inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances that prevent launch of the ducks, Duck Race prizes will be presented through random drawing.
Judges of The Duck Race on the Charles are not eligible to win.
Winners do not need to be present to win. If necessary, winners will be notified by e-mail or telephone within five (5) days of the The Duck Race on the Charles. If the winner does not contact Judges to claim prize within 15 days of race date, or if winner is deemed ineligible to win, the Judges will select an alternate winner through random drawing of entries
