Annual Tompkins 4-H Duck Race coming up April 27

Tompkins County 4-H youth development programs are planning this spring’s 4-H Duck Race — an annual local tradition and fundraiser — to be held Sunday, April 27. The highly-anticipated event features games, refreshments and prizes from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Tompkins County, 615 Willow Ave. in Ithaca.

The day will feature a festival in the CCE Tompkins parking lot, with 4-H clubs, staff, and volunteers showcasing resources and opportunities available to local residents. Around 2 p.m., CCE staff and the community will walk to Cornell Botanic Gardens’ Cascadilla Gorge and watch as 3,000 yellow rubber ducks tumble over the falls then bob down the creek in a race to the finish line.

Each duck represents a chance to win prizes and is made possible by the race’s sponsors, which include Moore’s Tree Farm, Yoga Farm Ithaca, New Delhi Diamond’s, CFCU Community Credit Union, Cargill and others. The first-place duck takes home the Grand Prize of a $500 Cash “Nest Egg”; other prizes include Binghamton Rumble Ponies prize packages, a one-year Sciencenter membership, a charcoal grill, telescope, video bird feeder, Instant air fryer oven, gift certificates from Wegmans, Bickering Twins, Hangar Theatre, Great Escapes and much more. Additional prize packages will be available for raffle.

Last year’s Duck Race raised over $14,500 for 4-H programs in Tompkins County, including rural and urban afterschool programs, summer camp and school break activities, college and career prep programs, and interest-based 4-H clubs. Participants will not need to be present to win.

“In addition to being one of our most fun days of the year, the Duck Race is a great way for our neighbors in the community to learn about local youth programs,” said Vicki Fleming, issue leader for Tompkins County 4-H. “From baking to botany, robotics to dog training — our 4-Hers will be sharing what they do all afternoon. Anyone who comes out will be able to try making crafts out of natural materials, learning about plants and wildlife, meeting local 4-H animals, and more!”

In addition to 4-H programs, attendees can learn about incentives to support home energy upgrades, composting resources, parenting/family workshops, gardening classes, SNAP-Ed nutrition, and other programs offered year-round at CCE Tompkins County.

For more information about the event, contact Tompkins-4h@cornell.edu or go to 4HDuckRace.com to purchase duck chances.