Lucky Ducky Race Returns to Bradenton Riverwalk

Annual fundraiser for Pace Center for Girls features rubber duck adoptions before Saturday's race.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 4:16pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph of colorful rubber ducks floating on a river, with a blurred cityscape in the background, conveying a sense of community celebration and fundraising.The annual Lucky Ducky Race on the Manatee River brings the Bradenton community together to support the Pace Center for Girls through a whimsical rubber duck competition.Bradenton Today

The 17th annual Lucky Ducky Race for Pace, a fundraising event featuring a rubber duck race on the Manatee River along the Bradenton Riverwalk, is taking place this Saturday, April 11. Rubber ducks are still available for adoption, with proceeds benefiting the Pace Center for Girls.

Why it matters

The Lucky Ducky Race is a long-standing tradition in the Bradenton community, raising crucial funds for the Pace Center for Girls, a nonprofit that provides education and counseling services to young women. The event brings the community together while supporting an important local organization.

The details

The rubber duck race takes place on the Manatee River along the Bradenton Riverwalk. Participants can adopt individual ducks or 'flocks' of ducks to enter the race, with prizes awarded to the top finishers. Proceeds from the duck adoptions go directly to supporting the programs and services offered by the Pace Center for Girls.

  • The 17th annual Lucky Ducky Race for Pace will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
  • Rubber duck adoptions are open now and will close shortly before the race on April 11.

The players

Pace Center for Girls

A nonprofit organization that provides education, counseling, and other support services to young women in Florida.

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What’s next

Participants can visit the Lucky Ducky Race website or contact the Pace Center for Girls to adopt ducks before the event on April 11.

The takeaway

The Lucky Ducky Race is a beloved annual tradition that brings the Bradenton community together to support the important work of the Pace Center for Girls, demonstrating the power of local events to drive positive change.