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Quack! Quack! The Great Duck Derby is back for a Quacktacular Day of fun at Mead Botanical Garden

Alastair Mac
Mar 28
2 min read

It's time to get your ducks in a row for the return of the Great Duck Derby, retuning to Mead Botanical Garden on March 29.

A child and woman smiling with a person in a yellow duck costume outdoors. Green benches and seated people in the sunny background. The Great Duck Derby is back for a Quacktacular Day of fun at Mead Botanical Garden

Gather up the ducklings and head out to The Great Duck Derby for a day of family fun at Mead Botanical Garden.

The Duck Derby is a spring-time tradition in Winter Park, with this year's Great Duck Derby taking place on Saturday, March 29, 2025.

A crowd watches a man in waders guide rubber ducks in a race on a stream. Children and adults line the grassy bank, many wearing hats. The Great Duck Derby is back for a Quacktacular Day of fun at Mead Botanical Garden

The Duck Derby features hundreds of little yellow rubber ducks racing around Mead Botanical Garden's pond while the crowds cheer the lucky ducks to the finish line to win cool prizes.

It’s just $5 to adopt a little race duck or $20 for a 5-duck quack pack. All proceeds from the Great Duck Derby benefit Mead’s children’s nature programs.

In addition to the duck derby, the day will be filled with lots of free fun activities for all the family. Plus parking is free, and entrance to Mead Botanical Gardens is free!

Event fun includes...

Duckoration Station (decorate your little rubber racing duck)
Mr. Harley Sing-Along Concert
Back to Nature Wildlife Animal Encounter
Bounce Houses
Bubble Zone
Nature Crafts
Bug Closet! UCF Entomology Dept
A Budget Tree Service, Inc. - FREE Giveaways
City of Winter Park Sustainability – Education & Giveaways
FREE Tree Give-away - City of Winter Park
Orange County Environmental Protection Division – Activities & Giveaways
Leaf Rubbing Nature Art Craft
Big Duck Photo Op – Pose with the Big Yellow Duck
Nature Clay Craft - MBG Community Garden
Fun4OrlandoKids – Craft Activity and Bubbles
Bookwyrm Bookshop - Childrens Books, Coloring, Storytime @10:30am
Winter Park Library – Craft & Carnival Game
Magic Beans Activity - Plant a Seed to Take Home
Kids Temporary Tattoos
Young Naturalist Summer Camp - Craft and Game
and the Duck Races!

Musician plays guitar on stage as children and families watch in a park. The Great Duck Derby is back for a Quacktacular Day of fun at Mead Botanical Garden

Food and Snacks:

Rosario's Kitchen Food Truck
Dubsdread Catering: Kid Friendly Food
Yum Yum Pops
Chamberlin's Natural Foods - Fresh Coconuts

Event and Race Schedule:

10:00 a.m. Duck Adoptions & Activities begin

11:00 a.m. Big Beautiful Sponsor Duck Race

11:15 a.m. Family Duck Race #1

11:30 a.m. Silly Song Sing-Along with Mr. Harley

12:00 p.m. Family Duck Race #2

12:30 p.m Silly Song Sing-Along with Mr. Harley

1:00p.m. Family Duck race #3

1:30 p.m. Family Level Mead Membership Drawing

For more information or volunteer opportunities, visit www.meadgarden.org or contact Emily at emily@meadgarden.org.

All proceeds from the Great Duck Derby benefit Mead’s children’s nature programs.

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The Great Duck Derby flyer with cartoon ducks racing in water, green foliage, and event details for March 29 at Mead Botanical Garden.

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