A young child helps corral some of the roughly 20,000 rubber ducks used by the Rotary Club of Aspen during its 31st annual Ducky Derby, its primary fundraiser, on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, along the Roaring Fork River in Aspen. Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Around 20,000 rubber ducks took to the Roaring Fork River for the Rotary Club of Aspen’s 31st annual Ducky Derby, its primary fundraiser, on Saturday in Aspen.
With help from Aspen Fire, the race was launched from No Name Bridge at 2 p.m., with a finish line located at the pedestrian bridge near Mill Street. Cash prizes of $5,000, $1,000, and $500 went to the three people who had purchased the winning ducks.
On top of the race itself, Rio Grande Park hosted the derby’s main party, including children’s games, youth organization tents, music, and a silent auction. There were also food options, a beer garden, vendor village, and a skateboard competition.
Money raised goes toward supporting college scholarships, community organizations, and international projects.
Below are photos from this year’s event, captured by Austin Colbert for The Aspen Times.
People watch from the Roaring Fork River during the Rotary Club of Aspen’s 31st annual Ducky Derby, its primary fundraiser, on Saturday, Aug. 5, in Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A girl throws a rubber duck back into the Roaring Fork River during the Rotary Club of Aspen’s 31st annual Ducky Derby, its primary fundraiser, on Saturday, Aug. 5, in Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Around 20,000 rubber ducks took to the Roaring Fork River for the Rotary Club of Aspen’s 31st annual Ducky Derby, its primary fundraiser, on Saturday, Aug. 5, in Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Around 20,000 rubber ducks took to the Roaring Fork River for the Rotary Club of Aspen’s 31st annual Ducky Derby, its primary fundraiser, on Saturday, Aug. 5, in Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Around 20,000 rubber ducks took to the Roaring Fork River for the Rotary Club of Aspen’s 31st annual Ducky Derby, its primary fundraiser, on Saturday, Aug. 5, in Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
The Rotary Club of Aspen held its 31st annual Ducky Derby, its primary fundraiser, on Saturday, Aug. 5, with the main staging area being Rio Grande Park in Aspen. Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Around 20,000 rubber ducks took to the Roaring Fork River for the Rotary Club of Aspen’s 31st annual Ducky Derby, its primary fundraiser, on Saturday, Aug. 5, in Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Around 20,000 rubber ducks took to the Roaring Fork River for the Rotary Club of Aspen’s 31st annual Ducky Derby, its primary fundraiser, on Saturday, Aug. 5, in Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Around 20,000 rubber ducks took to the Roaring Fork River for the Rotary Club of Aspen’s 31st annual Ducky Derby, its primary fundraiser, on Saturday, Aug. 5, in Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Around 20,000 rubber ducks took to the Roaring Fork River for the Rotary Club of Aspen’s 31st annual Ducky Derby, its primary fundraiser, on Saturday, Aug. 5, in Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Around 20,000 rubber ducks took to the Roaring Fork River for the Rotary Club of Aspen’s 31st annual Ducky Derby, its primary fundraiser, on Saturday, Aug. 5, in Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A kid throws back one of the roughly 20,000 rubber ducks that took to the Roaring Fork River for the Rotary Club of Aspen’s 31st annual Ducky Derby, its primary fundraiser, on Saturday, Aug. 5, in Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Around 20,000 rubber ducks took to the Roaring Fork River for the Rotary Club of Aspen’s 31st annual Ducky Derby, its primary fundraiser, on Saturday, Aug. 5, in Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Around 20,000 rubber ducks took to the Roaring Fork River for the Rotary Club of Aspen’s 31st annual Ducky Derby, its primary fundraiser, on Saturday, Aug. 5, in Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A young boy rises up from the bottom of the inflatable slide during the Rotary Club of Aspen’s 31st annual Ducky Derby, its primary fundraiser, on Saturday, Aug. 5, at Rio Grande Park in Aspen.Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
