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Duck Derby | Old Forge, NY | September 6, 2026

  • CAP-PY Duck Race 108 Codling Street Old Forge, New York, 13420 United States (map)

3,500 Ducks Take the Plunge at Old Forge’s CAP-PY Duck Derby

Rubber Duck floating in an Adirondack river.

Rubbery Ducky, you’re the one!

Labor Day weekend in Old Forge comes with one of the Adirondacks’ more delightfully improbable sporting events: 3,500 rubber ducks racing down the Moose River.

The 16th Annual CAP-PY Duck Derby returns Sunday, September 6, 2026, when thousands of yellow competitors will plunge from the Route 28 bridge across from the Old Forge Visitor Information Center—all in the name of community, charity and some surprisingly serious prizes.

Sponsored by LivingADK, the annual duck derby has become an Old Forge Labor Day weekend tradition. Spectators line the river to watch the mass of orange bills bob, bump and occasionally make what appear to be highly questionable navigational decisions on their way downstream.

Looking for more ways to spend Labor Day weekend in the Adirondacks? Subscribe to ADK Taste’s In Good Taste newsletter for a weekly hand-picked guide to Adirondack food, stories and events.

Dam in Old Forge

What to expect at the CAP-PY Duck Derby in Old Forge.

The concept is beautifully simple. Participants “adopt” numbered rubber ducks, which are released together into the Moose River. The first ducks across the finish line win prizes for their adopters.

This year, 21 prizes are up for grabs, thanks to donations from local businesses and community supporters. The grand prize is $1,000—considerably more than most rubber ducks earn in an afternoon.

Duck adoptions cost $5 each or $20 for a flock of five. Participants must be 18 or older, and winners have 90 days after race day to claim their prizes.

Tickets are available weekdays from 9 am – 4:30 pm at the LivingADK office behind Arrow Bank. They are also available Fridays from 1 – 5 pm at LivingADK’s table at the Old Forge Farmers Market and at the Town of Webb Visitor Information Office near the town beach.

A Labor Day tradition that supports the Adirondacks.

The CAP-PY Duck Derby may be whimsical, but the organization behind it tackles decidedly serious work.

LivingADK serves communities stretching from Forestport through Old Forge and north to Raquette Lake. According to the organization, it has reinvested more than $15 million in the region through work supporting healthcare access, broadband expansion, affordable housing and economic resilience.

That gives every $5 duck adoption a purpose beyond the possibility of a prize. Visitors get an entertaining Adirondack spectacle; the proceeds help strengthen the communities that make this corner of the Park worth visiting in the first place.

Duck herders at a duck derby

Sometimes ducks need herding.

Why the Old Forge duck race is worth seeing.

Plenty of fundraising events take place over Labor Day weekend. Far fewer begin by dumping several thousand rubber ducks off a bridge.

The Moose River setting turns the fundraiser into something spectators can enjoy whether or not their particular duck demonstrates championship form. It is especially fun for families, and its downtown Old Forge location makes it easy to pair with the town’s shops, restaurants and waterfront.

Visitors staying in nearby Inlet, Eagle Bay, Big Moose or Raquette Lake can also make the derby part of a wider Labor Day weekend excursion through the western Adirondacks.

ADK Taste recommendation.

Arrive in Old Forge early and make an afternoon of it rather than driving in just for the splashdown. Pick up a duck—or a flock—before race day, then find a viewing spot near the Moose River with enough time to enjoy the pre-race anticipation. Route 28 is Old Forge’s main artery, so allow extra time for Labor Day weekend traffic and parking.

CAP-PY Duck Derby event details.

Date: Sunday, September 6, 2026

Location: Moose River at the Route 28 bridge, across from the Old Forge Visitor Information Center, Old Forge, NY

Duck adoptions: $5 each or five for $20

Prizes: 21 prizes, including a $1,000 grand prize

Age requirement: Participants must be 18 or older

Visitors should check LivingADK’s official website or Facebook page before heading out for the latest race-day details and updates.

And for more carefully chosen things to eat, see and do across the Adirondacks, subscribe to ADK Taste’s In Good Taste newsletter. It arrives weekly with Adirondack events, food finds and stories worth knowing.

Duck Derby FAQ.

When is the 2026 CAP-PY Duck Derby?‍ ‍

The 16th Annual CAP-PY Duck Derby takes place Sunday, September 6, 2026, during Labor Day weekend.

Where is the Old Forge Duck Derby held?‍ ‍

The ducks are released into the Moose River from the Route 28 bridge across from the Old Forge Visitor Information Center.

How much does it cost to adopt a duck?‍ ‍

Ducks cost $5 each or $20 for a flock of five.

What can participants win?‍ ‍

The 2026 derby features 21 prizes donated by local businesses and supporters, including a $1,000 grand prize.

Where do CAP-PY Duck Derby proceeds go?‍ ‍

Proceeds support LivingADK’s community development work from Forestport to Raquette Lake, including healthcare access, broadband, affordable housing and economic resilience.


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