The CARES in Farmington Hills Duck Race is a fun-filled community event where thousands of rubber ducks race to the finish, raising vital funds to support local families in need. Sponsoring the race not only puts your name in front of an engaged audience but also directly contributes to food security and essential programs that uplift our community.
What happens on race day
Wednesday, Aug 5 · Shiawassee ParkFamily fun starts at 3:00 — here's what's waiting for the whole family:
🏆 The Winners Are In!
Congratulations to our top 15 CARES Duck Race winners — and thank you for helping feed local families!
Winners are listed by their winning duck number.
🦆 Decoy Duck Race Winners
The Decoy Duck Race is our special showdown for the businesses and organizations that helped power the Duck Race. Each one entered its own one-of-a-kind decoy duck — here are the top three finishers, plus the People's Choice Award for the best-looking duck of them all.
Where to Buy Duck Race Tickets
Duck Race tickets are sold in person only — and buying one is a great way to visit the local businesses that support our community. Tickets are available at the 9 locations below during the hours shown. Click any duck pin on the map for details, use Get directions to open Google Maps, or use Send to phone to scan a QR code and take the directions with you.
Ticket availability can vary with staffing and events — if you're making a special trip, a quick call ahead never hurts. Want to sell Duck Race tickets at your business? Contact CARES — we'd love to add you to the map!
PLAY THE DUCK RACE!
The official warm-up game for the 2026 CARES Duck Race & Family Fun Day. Race down the Shiawassee, beat Mama Duck, and get on the leaderboard!
Our 2026 Sponsors & Participants
The 2026 Duck Race and Family Fun Day wouldn't be possible without these amazing sponsors and participants. Please support the businesses and organizations that support our community — click any logo to visit their website!
ALRO Steel
Another Way Pregnancy Center
BMW of Farmington Hills
The Dawoodi Bohras
Blue Chip
Farmington/Farmington Hills Breakfast Optimist Club
Brilar
Children's Place Montessori
Chocolate Chipped Bakery
Christian Financial Credit Union
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
City of Farmington
Claymates
Clean Express Auto Wash
Cornerstone Financial Services
Cromwell Chiropractic
Crowded Kitchen
D&B Landscaping
DTE Energy
DTE Foundation
Doeren Mayhew
Dynamic Technology Solutions
Elite Bridal
Elite Imaging Systems
Essential Chiropractic
Express Wash Concepts
Farmington Hills Firemen
Farmington Masonic Lodge
Fisher Auto Parts
Fox Buick GMC
Flex Automotive
GLP Financial Group LLC
Grifols Biomat Plasma Donation Center
Health Insurance Experts
Heeney-Sundquist
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
Hill City Church
Huntington Bank
Jill's Genuine Care Pharmacy
Keurig Dr Pepper
Kid Chemist
Kirk in the Hills
Kroger
Mainville FundLeo and June Mainville Fund
LOC Credit Union
McElroy's Automotive
Life Driving Academy
Lloyd Waters & Associates
Men on the Move
Mercy High School
Michael E. Sawicky, P.L.L.C.
Michigan Asphalt
Mid American Studio
Movement Mortgage LLC
NexTech Professional Services
Nissan
PMD CPAs
OMRON
Piedmont Concrete
PPD Technology
RAM Construction Services
RF Connect LLC
Right Hire IT
Schoolcraft College
Sharing Hearts Homecare
Stafford Landscaping
Steinkopf Nursery
Tarnow Doors
TDA Insurance & Financial
The Bear Factory Events
The Big Smile
The Computer Guys, Inc.
The Edge Fitness Clubs
The Foot Care Institute of Michigan
The Sam Bernstein Law Firm
Thornton & Grooms
True Cut Tree Service
UAW Local 182
USA Hockey Arena
Vibe Credit Union
Victors Home Solutions
Ward Church
Wright Beamer
Wasmer Brothers Landscaping
Weingartz
Z's Painting
Zarminali Pediatrics
Zoro's Lights
…and a heartfelt thank-you as well to Anthony Iaquinto, Friends of Maureen Miller Brosnan, and Richard and Marlene Kramer!
Our Food Vendors
Delicious eats and treats, courtesy of these wonderful local vendors.
Busch's Fresh Food Market
Farmhouse Coffee & Ice Cream
Kona Ice
Never Forgotten Bakery
Olive Thyme Catering LLC
Tacobachi's Food Truck
Travelin Tom's Coffee of Western Wayne County
Wetzel's Pretzels
…and a sweet thank-you as well to Sweets & Treats by Megan!
Our Entertainment & Service Providers
The fun, games, animals, music, and smiles were brought to you by these fantastic providers.
Another Day Resource
Carousel Acres
Farmington YMCA
Farmington Hills Fire Department
Killer Flamingos
Legasea Aquarium
Mitchell Logic
Road Less Traveled Books
The Gathering Church
The Nutty Scientist of Southeast Michigan
The Reptarium
The Whimsy Wand Face Painting Co
Twisting Colors – Face Painting
TRV|FIT Farmington
Our In-Kind Donators
These generous businesses donated goods, services, and prizes to make our event a success.
Anu Sushi
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
Blue Hat Coffee
Blueberry Brunch
Cheesecake Factory
Citgo
Cold Stone Creamery
Costco Wholesale
Detroit Zoo
Doubletree by Hilton
Farmington Civic Theatre
First Watch
Focal Point Studio of Photography
Graduate by Hilton
Granite City
Ground Control
Hilton Garden Inn Plymouth
Holiday Inn & Suites Farmington Hills
J. Alexander's
Jersey Mike's
LaFontaine
Legato Salon
Mario's Italian Grill
Marriott Detroit Airport
MassageLuXe
Novi Crafthouse
Olga's Kitchen
Paulson's Audio & Video
Peace Taco
Premier Pet Supply
Rolling Stoves
Scramblers
Shell (10 Mile & Orchard)
Sheraton Detroit
Starbucks
SugarBare & Bronzed
The Detroit Tigers
The Henry Ford
The Vines
Trader Joe's
Vanguard Ann Arbor
Wayne State Hilberry Gateway
See you there!
The CARES Duck Race is a beloved annual event in Farmington, bringing the community together for a fun and impactful day. Held each August at Shiawassee Park, the event features thousands of rubber ducks racing down the river, creating a colorful and exciting spectacle. Over the years, attendance has grown significantly, with last year’s race seeing over 8,000 ducks dropped into the water.
Beyond the race itself, the event includes family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and opportunities for the community to support CARES of Farmington Hills. With each passing year, the Duck Race continues to grow, strengthening community bonds while raising awareness for CARES’ mission of helping families in need.