ONTARIO — Talk about a lucky duck. Ontario’s inaugural Community Fall Festival featured a race unlike any other, sending hundreds of rubber ducks down Dunlap Drive.

Children grab ducks after the Duck Regatta. (Credit: Hannah Martin)

The Duck Regatta gave one lucky individual the chance to win a $1,000 cash prize and the title of Grand Champion Duck Racer for 2026.

Recreation Director and Ontario Youth Sports Director Kenn Spencer announced Duck 15, ‘Quack Efron,’ entered by Touby Hamler, won the individual race.

Arbor Creek Gardens and Floral won the business competition, earning the Business Duck trophy and a banner in the park.

Ducks race for cash and community bragging rights

The Duck Regatta served as a new fundraising effort for Ontario Community Events. Organizers combined individual and business entries into one race.

Businesses and non-profit organizations could purchase one duck for $250 or three for $500. Individuals could purchase one duck for $5, three for $10 or seven for $20.

Spencer thanked the Ontario City Water Department for helping make the event possible by tapping a hydrant to supply the water.

(Story continues below. Rubber ducks race down hill on Dunlap Drive. Credit: Hannah Martin)

Community Event Coordinator Tarin Sturts said organizers had sold more than 500 individual ducks and around 44 corporate ducks.

While the event offered lots of free entertainment for families, Sturts said she was most excited for the Duck Regatta, especially since she had ducks in the race.

“I think I got 40,” Sturts said.

Although organizers weren’t sure how the festival would fare with other events happening the same day, Sturts said she was happy to see the turnout.

“Really it just brought everybody together,” Sturts said.

Festival brings families together

The festival featured pumpkin carving, children’s games, bounce houses, food trucks, a pie-baking contest and a pie auction.

The Ontario Marching Band participated in a golf cart parade, while the Ontario High School Jazz Band performed at the bandshell.

Lexi Forsythe plays tug-of-war with her niece and nephew at Ontario’s inaugural Community Fall Festival. (Credit: Hannah Martin)

Lexi Forsythe, an Ontario resident, attended the festival with her niece and nephew after learning about the event on Facebook.

“It’s nice,” she said. “It’s a good activity for them.”

Forsythe said she hopes to see the Community Fall Festival continue for years to come. 

Spencer previously said organizers considered several fundraising options, including a raffle, before settling on the Duck Regatta.

“This one felt more like us,” he said.

Spencer described the festival’s goal as “nothing flashy, just a good, small town vibe that we’re trying to create.”

(Pictures from Ontario’s inaugural Community Fall Festival. Credit: Hannah Martin)

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