FAQS

Festival FAQs

What is the Rockwall Rubber Duck Regatta and Jeep Festival?

Voted Best Community Event in Rockwall County in both 2024 and 2025, the Rubber Duck Regatta and Jeep Festival is a cherished community tradition filled with family fun at The Harbor in Rockwall, Texas! Enjoy live entertainment, food, vendors, Kids Zone activities, the Jeep Zone, and plenty of ways to play throughout the day - all leading up to the big Rubber Duck Race at 4:00 PM.

What is new for 2026?

The Rubber Ducks are no longer racing to win a Jeep. For the last 4 years, the 1st place duck prize was a brand new Jeep Wrangler. We are kicking off a new set of prizes for 2026 that are focused on fun, family adventures.

This year, Duck Race entries are FREE! Instead of purchasing a duck entry, you can get a free duck through our online form. On festival day, you can get more FREE ducks by visiting participating vendors, purchasing Kids Zone passes, supporting sponsors, enjoying activities, and more.

Why did the Jeep prize go away?

It didn't go away - it's moved to a new online sweepstakes called Driving For Good.

Here’s why:

Bigger Prizes. We wanted to offer bigger prizes and money to help the winners cover taxes and fees. Texas charitable raffle law caps purchased prizes and prohibits money prizes. A sweepstakes format will allow us to offer those options.
Race Number Delivery. We assigned duck numbers randomly after entries closed so buying early wouldn’t give anyone an advantage based on the order ducks entered the fountain. That meant sending thousands of emails right before the race. Many of these emails were sent to spam or completely blocked by email providers. We know that left many people frustrated - but rest assured, your ducks were in the water, even when your numbers didn’t make it to your inbox.
Race Integrity. As the race grew, crowded fountains made it harder to keep ducks moving fairly and monitor the entire course.

We valued your feedback, and we knew it was time for a change. With free ducks racing and a separate big-prize giveaway, we’re bringing the focus back to what this festival is all about: fun, family time, and bringing our community together.

When and where is the event held?

The Rockwall Rubber Duck Regatta takes place at The Harbor in Rockwall from 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM, with the Rubber Duck Race beginning at 4:00 PM.

The Harbor is located at 2074 Summer Lee Drive, Rockwall, TX 75032.

What is the layout of the event?

Everything is happening at The Harbor this year! You’ll find vendors, food, Kids Zone activities, entertainment, the Jeep Zone, and other festival activities throughout The Harbor.

How can I get a duck in the Rubber Duck Race?

This year, you do not buy a duck - Duck Race entries are FREE!

You can get 1 free duck entry through our online form until October 8th. And, you can earn lots more entries on festival day! You can earn by visiting participating vendors, getting Kids Zone passes, supporting sponsors, participating in activities, and more.

Do I get an actual rubber duck?

No. We keep your numbered rubber duck safe and sound and training for race day! You will receive a duck number that corresponds to a pre-numbered rubber duck that we will put in the race.

How does the Duck Race work?

At 4:00 PM, thousands of pre-numbered rubber ducks will hit the water and "race" toward the finish line. The first three assigned rubber ducks into the Winner's Tube will determine our first, second, and third-place winners.

When do I get my duck number?

If you entered for a free duck online, your duck number will be emailed to you shortly after form submission.
If you were given a free duck entry from an official event representative or sponsor, you will receive that duck number via email the day before the race. Please note: Festival Organizers are not responsible for duck numbers that are not assigned due to sponsors or authorized groups missing the deadline or providing inaccurate information regarding their allocated duck entries.
If you are given a Duck Race ticket at the festival, your duck number will be printed directly on that ticket. However, you must turn the information half of that ticket into the Quack Shack by 3 PM for it to be connected to a numbered duck in the race. Failure to do so will void that ticket. Be sure to keep the other half of that ticket so you have your Duck Number!

What if I lose my Duck Race ticket?

While we will keep records of distributed ticket numbers, participants are responsible for keeping their emails or physical tickets until all winners have been confirmed.

Do I have to be present to win?

No! You do not have to be present to win.

Winning numbers will be announced following the race, and we’ll make reasonable efforts to contact winners who are not present using the information associated with the winning ticket.

What can I win in the Duck Race?

We have three family-focused prize packages this year!

FIRST PLACE: Texas Safari Adventure - Explore Together

An unforgettable getaway for four in Decatur, Texas!

Two-night stay for four people
Dine with giraffes
Private Sherp ride
A one-of-a-kind family adventure

SECOND PLACE: The Great Backyard - Gather Together

Everything you need to turn the backyard into the perfect family hangout!

Fire pit
S’mores kit for five
Backyard games
Five folding wooden Adirondack chairs
Foldable wagon

THIRD PLACE: Ultimate Family Fun Day - Play Together

A Rockwall family adventure for four featuring:

Mini golf
Laser tag
Quantum Go-Karts or Kids Zone
Bowling
1,500 arcade credits
Restaurant gift card

PLUS: First-, second-, and third-place winners will also receive entries into the Driving for Good Jeep Sweepstakes!

How do I receive my prize if I win?

We’ll coordinate directly with each winner for prize pickup or delivery.

Prize delivery is available within 50 miles of Rockwall, Texas. Winners outside of that area will be responsible for arranging pickup or any additional delivery/shipping.

Winners may be asked to provide their winning ticket number, identification, and contact information before receiving their prize.

Who is eligible to win the Duck Race?

Participants must be 18 years or older and a resident of Texas to win the prize.

Employees and Board Members (and their immediate families) of Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Texas and Grace Clinic are not eligible to win duck race or sweepstakes prizes.

If an ineligible person holds a winning ticket, the next eligible duck will be declared the winner.

Can I still win a Jeep?

YES! And even more!

Introducing, Driving for Good, a separate online sweepstakes that begins September 30th and ends on March 23rd, 2027. The winner will be announced on March 30th, 2027.

Driving for Good is separate from the Rubber Duck Regatta and Jeep Festival's Duck Race, so you can join the fun at the Regatta AND enter for your chance to win the GRAND PRIZE!

Grand Prize in the DrivingForGood.org Sweepstakes valued at over $82,000:

2026 Mojito Green 4-Door Jeep Wrangler - Upgraded to be Off-Road Ready

TeraFlex suspension lift
Falcon performance shocks
35-inch AMX off-road tires
Fuel Off-Road wheels
Tow package

2026 Yamaha VX Deluxe WaveRunner

Three-person seating
Yamaha RiDE system
Integrated storage
Multifunction display
Trailer and custom-fit cover included

PLUS $10,000!!

Is there an entry fee to attend the Regatta?

No! Admission to the Rockwall Rubber Duck Regatta is FREE.

Bring some spending money for food, drinks, Kids Zone passes, shopping with vendors, and other special activities. Plus, participating in the festival gives you lots of opportunities to earn FREE Duck Race entries!

Are there activities for kids?

Absolutely! The Rubber Duck Regatta and Jeep Festival is designed to be a fun day for the whole family. Kids Zone will feature activities just for our youngest festival-goers, along with plenty to see and do throughout The Harbor.

What’s in the Kids Zone?

Kids Zone will be packed with activities to keep kids playing throughout the festival, including inflatables and other family-friendly fun.

More Kids Zone activities will be announced as we get closer to the event!

And remember: Kids Zone is also one of the places you may have opportunities to earn Duck Race entries.

Are the ducks real?

Nope! They’re rubber ducks - and they’ve been training all year for their big moment. At the end of the race, we gather all of the ducks and bring them back to their training facility so they can begin training for next year's race.

Can I bring my own snacks and drinks?

Come hungry! Food vendors will be serving plenty of tasty options throughout the festival. Outside food and beverage policies will be announced with final event details.

Is the event pet-friendly?

Yes! The Rockwall Rubber Duck Regatta is pet-friendly. Please keep pets leashed and make sure they’re comfortable in a busy festival environment.

Where do the funds from the event go?

The Rockwall Rubber Duck Regatta is more than a fun day at The Harbor. The event supports two local organizations serving our community:

Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Texas provides safe places, caring mentors, and life-changing programs that help young people reach their full potential.

Grace Clinic provides essential healthcare services to underserved and uninsured members of our community.

When you sponsor, shop, eat, play, and participate in the Regatta, you’re helping support important work right here in our community.

What if it rains?

The festival is planned as a rain-or-shine event. In the case of severe weather, schedule changes or other updates will be shared on our website and social media.

How can I volunteer or become a sponsor?

We’d love to have you involved! Visit our Sponsor and Volunteer pages to find ways to support the Rubber Duck Regatta and Jeep Festival.

Sponsors are also an important part of our new FREE Duck Race experience, with opportunities to help festival-goers get additional Duck Race entries.

How can I become a vendor at the Regatta?

We’d love to have your business or organization join us at The Harbor! Visit the Vendor page on our website to complete an application and learn more about vendor opportunities.

How do I get to The Harbor?

The Harbor is located at 2074 Summer Lee Drive, Rockwall, TX 75032.

From I-30, take Exit 67A toward Horizon Road and follow signs toward The Harbor.

Where can I park?

Parking is available in public parking areas around The Harbor unless otherwise marked. Event-specific parking information and maps will be shared as the festival gets closer.

Where can I stay overnight?

Visiting from out of town? Check the City of Rockwall's hotel information for nearby accommodations and any special event rates that may become available.