Get your ‘duck on’ in August at Bellaire’s Annual Rubber Ducky Festival

Courtesy Bellaire Chamber of Commerce

By Adrienne Brown-Reasner, West Michigan Tourist Association

 

“DUCK” into Bellaire… let the “QUACKIN” begin. The Bellaire Chamber of Commerce presents the 32nd Annual Rubber Ducky Festival in Downtown Bellaire Aug. 12-18, with Race Day on Aug. 17th. It’s sponsored by Bellaire Family Health Center and Fischer Insurance.

The week of events includes Bay Area Big Band; Community Paddle Event; Commission on Aging Picnic; Duck and Glow 5k Run/Walk and 1 Mile Kiddie Dash; Grass River’s Riverfest & Auction; Dominic Fortuna Live; Corn Hole Tournament; kids activities; Rubber Ducky Parade and Race; and Woodstock 2 Live Music. Finish the week with the return of the Short’s Glacial Hills Challenge XC on Sunday.

Rubber Ducky Festival’s biggest day is on Saturday, Aug. 17th with a quarter-mile race of 2,000 yellow ducks dumped into the Intermediate River, after Bellaire’s largest parade of the year, with the finish line at Riverside Marina. Visitors can buy a $5 race ticket that corresponds to the number on a Rubber Duck. Ducks finishing the “Top 27” win a cash prize.

Prizes:

  • 1st – $500
  • 2nd – $300
  • 3rd – $100
  • 4th-7th place – $50
  • 8th-27th place – $10

Participants need not be present to win.

Saturday also features a Fine Arts & Craft Show with over 50+ vendors, Kids’ Ducking Park, including games for all ages; bounce houses and slides; face painting; and a free kids’ movie. Smokey the Bear will be visiting.

Downtown Bellaire will be alive with sidewalk and library book sales. Bellaire’s biggest parade of the season kicks off at 3pm followed by the dropping of 2,000 ducks at the North Bridge Street Bridge. Finish the day with a chicken BBQ, live music and a movie in the park.

This year’s festival is part of Bellaire’s 12 Days of Summer Celebration, Aug. 7-18, kicking off with the three-day Antrim County Fair, featuring a restaurant cook-off, dog show, family movie night and horse pulls Aug. 8-11.

For full schedule of events or to be a vendor, visit the Bellaire Chamber of Commerce web site at www.bellairechamber.org or call Bellaire Chamber of Commerce at 231.533.6023.

2019 Event list

Sun., Aug. 11

  • 12-3pm — Bellaire Area Historical Museum Open (free)

Mon., Aug. 12 

  • 6pm — Bay Area Big Band @ ASI Community Center, Music at the Gazebo (Donation)

Tues., Aug.13 

  • 11am-3pm — Bellaire Area Historical Museum Open (free)
    6:30pm Euchre at Bellaire Senior Center   

Wed., Aug. 14

  • 7pm — Bellaire Community Paddle @ Richardi ParkGrab your paddleboard, kayak or paddle craft of choice and join Paddle Antrim for an amazing evening paddle on the Intermediate River as a lead up to Bellaire’s Rubber Ducky Festival & Race. This hour-long slow paddle will begin at Bellaire’s Intermediate River at 7pm to check in and we will launch promptly as a group at 7:15pm.

    Paddle Antrim encourage all ages and types of paddle crafts to join us on the water for these slow paddles. These paddles last approximately one hour on the water, are free, and no pre-registration is required. All paddlers must bring their own craft/boat, paddle, and pfd (life jacket). As with all Paddle Antrim events, pfds must be properly worn at all times. All ages are welcome but children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult out on the water. (free)

  • 11am-3pm — Bellaire Area Historical Museum Open (free)

Thurs., Aug. 15

  • 10am-5pm —  Bellaire Merchants Sidewalk Sales
  • 10am-4pm — Bellaire Public Library Book Sale
  • 10am-2pm — C.O.A. Community Appreciation Picnic at Bellaire Senior Center;
    Live Music, BINGO, Burgers, Hot Dogs, Coleslaw, Chips, Drinks, Dessert.
  • 10am-2pm — C.O.A. Car Show – 4Front Credit Union ATM Lot (free)
  • 5pm — Grass Riverfest & Auction @ Shanty Creek Resort, Summit Village. www.grassriver.org

Fri., Aug. 16

  • 10am-5pm — Bellaire Merchants Sidewalk Sales
  • 10am-4pm — Bellaire Public Library Book Sale
  • 1pm-3pm — Bellaire Area Historical Museum Open (free)
  • 7pm — Corn Hole Tournament @ Broad St.

    Supporting Community In Action Organization. Pre-registration requested but not required. Single elimination tournament, with a cash prize for 1st, and other prizes for 2nd & 3rd. $40 per team

  • 7-9pm — Music Downtown -“Dominic Fortuna”
  • 8:30pm — Duck & Glow 5k Run – Starts Downtown Bellaire @ Broad Street near the health department Supports BHS Cross Country. ($)

Sat., Aug. 17 – Race Day!

  • 10am-3pm — Kids’ Duckling Park – Games & Fun!
    Presented by BHS Student Council, Bellaire Fire Department, Boy Scouts and  Great Lakes Jump Bounce Houses ($)
  • 10am-4pm — Fine Arts and Craft Show @ Courthouse (free)
  • 11am-5pm — Merchant Sidewalk Sales
  • 11am — Kids Movie Matinee @ Bellaire Theatre. Movies TBA. (free)
  • 3pm — Grand Parade & Rubber Ducky Race – Ducks drops @ North Bridge following Parade & finishes at Riverside Marina. (free)
  • 4-6pm —  Annual Community BBQ with Antrim Community Church @ Richardi ParkDinner served right after Duckie Drop. Come join us for a relaxing time with the family in the park. BBQ Chicken, Hot dogs & fix ‘ins. (Donation)
  • 5-6pm — Woodstock 2 @ the Library with Peter & Leslie
    Celebrating 50th Anniversary of Woodstock. Presented by the Friends of the Library. (Donations)
  • Dusk — PTO Movie in the Park- “Coco” @ Richardi Park — Free. Bring a Chair.

Sun., August 18

  • All Day — Short’s Glacial Hills Challenge XC @ Glacial Hills

For additional information, contact Fun Promotions LLC – 616-453-4245 or Paddles & Pedals – 231-533-4449, www.funpromotions.com/eventinfo/glacialhills.html

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