Thousands of rubber ducks race for the greenbelt

The annual Duck Race returned for its 22nd year on the Snake River.

It’s an Idaho Falls tradition that’s built the city’s beloved greenbelt from the ground up — the annual Duck Race. This year, there will be 12,000 ducks swimming in the race and all proceeds will go to benefit the expansion of the greenbelt.

“You see a lot of people use this thing and there isn’t anything that I’m aware of that gets used on a more consistent basis than the greenbelt. It’s perfect,” said Don Carey, organizer.

Organizers said the funds raised this year will go toward the completion of the greenbelt’s Ryder Park expansion on the southwest corner of the Sunnyside bridge walkway path.

“We’ve committed about $155 thousand for the project and we will meet our commitment with the proceeds from this race,” said Carey. “It’s our give back to the community and it’s our enhancement of one of the best attributes of this community.”

With the chance to win the grand prize of a 2012 Ford F-150 truck, a sundance spa, snowmobile, diamond ring, a cash prize or a gift certificate, organizers said it’s no wonder so many people wanted to buy a duck.

“It’s a great, great support that we have from our community and our businesses around here,” said Carey. “There are a lot of goodies, and if you’re not in then you can’t win so you gotta get in!”

The Duck Race is organized and hosted by the Idaho Falls Rotary Club.

Every year the event raises about $50 thousand for the greenbelt and thanks to matching donations, it’s about $4 million in total.