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 ParkGates open at 3:00 — here's what's waiting for the whole family:
Ready to join in?
👇 Tap a button to see your optionsAdopt a duck — or a whole flock — for your shot at the prizes. The more you adopt, the better your chances!
Each duck is one entry — you're buying a chance to win, not a rubber duck to take home. Just $5 a duck, and you don't have to be there to win!
Become a CARESgiver. The Duck Race isn't just a fun day out — it funds hunger relief across Farmington Hills, Farmington, Southfield, Livonia, Redford, Novi, Northville & West Bloomfield. With 4,500+ attendees last year, sponsoring is a powerful way to grow your brand while showing your community you care.
Top billing everywhere: prominent banner & promo placement, premier info-booth space, media / social / website exposure, your logo + link on our site, DJ shout-outs throughout the day, your logo on the event T-shirt, and your rep starts both the Decoy and Rubber Duck races.
Premier info-booth space, exposure across all marketing, social & website, plus DJ announcements throughout the event.
Name / logo on the sponsorship banner and on the bridge banners along the race route.
Name / logo on the banner by the duck-mixing area, plus your logo on our website.
Enter a decoy duck in the Corporate / Business Duck Race and cheer it on.
Race your own decoy duck in the Corporate / Business Duck Race.
Set up a booth and engage the 4,500+ crowd with a fun, duck-themed presence. You bring the tent, table, chairs & signage — the exposure is priceless. Spots are limited!
Display a business banner (up to 4′ × 6′) in a high-visibility spot, from Tuesday afternoon through the close of the race on Wednesday, Aug 5.
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 8 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!
Another Way Pregnancy Center
BMW of Farmington Hills
The Dawoodi Bohras
Blue Chip
Brilar
Children's Place Montessori
Chocolate Chipped Bakery
Christian Financial Credit Union
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Clean Express Auto Wash
Cornerstone Financial Services
Cromwell Chiropractic
Crowded Kitchen
D&B Landscaping
DTE Energy
DTE Foundation
Doeren Mayhew
Dynamic Technology Solutions
Elite Imaging Systems
Essential Chiropractic
Express Wash Concepts
Farmington Masonic Lodge
Fisher Auto Parts
Ford Motor Company
Fox Buick GMC
GLP Financial Group LLC
Grifols Biomat Plasma Donation Center
Heeney-Sundquist
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
Hill City Church
Huntington Bank
Keurig Dr Pepper
Kid Chemist
Kroger
LOC Credit Union
Life Driving Academy
Lloyd Waters & Associates
Men on the Move
Mercy High School
Mid American Studio
Movement Mortgage LLC
Nex Tech
Nissan
PMD CPAs
Piedmont Concrete
RAM Construction Services
RF Connect LLC
Schoolcraft College
Sharing Hearts Homecare
Stafford Landscaping
Steinkopf Nursery
Tarnow Doors
The Bear Factory Events
The Big Smile
The Computer Guys, Inc.
The Foot Care Institute of Michigan
The Sam Bernstein Law Firm
True Cut Tree Service
UAW Local 182
USA Hockey Arena
Vibe Credit Union
Victors Home Solutions
Ward Church
Wassamar Landscaping (Wasmer Bros.)
Weingartz
Zoro's Lights
…and a heartfelt thank-you as well to Anthony Iaquinto and Friends of Maureen Miller Brosnan!
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
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
Killer Flamingos
Legasea Aquarium
Road Less Traveled Books
The Gathering Church
The Nutty Scientist of Southeast Michigan
The Reptarium
The Whimsy Wand Face Painting Co
…and a heartfelt thank-you as well to Twisting Colors – Face Painting!
Our In-Kind Donators
These generous businesses donated goods, services, and prizes to make our event a success.
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
Blue Hat Coffee
Blueberry Brunch
Cheesecake Factory
Citgo
Cold Stone Creamery
Detroit Zoo
Doubletree by Hilton
Farmington Civic Theatre
First Watch
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
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.