Join us here weekly for the latest updates on all the excitement for the 2026 Duck Racing season!!
HOW THE DUCK RACES WORK:
This special event race is patterned after the famed Iron Man Triathlon, where competitors (human, that is) challenge one another over a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 2.2-mile marathon along the Kona (hawaii) coast each October. However, instead of 1800 human racing machines, Maris Farms will serve up a half dozen of the finest tri-QUACK-aletes in Pierce County, and they’ll cover a grand total of 200 feet! The ducks start at one end of an old cow feeder by swimming 100 feet one direction, then climbing a ramp to a platform built over the swim pond and “running/fluttering” back to where they started. First one back is the winner. In all, there are 20 races during the season. The duck with the most victories over that period is crowned Iron ‘DUCK’ World Champion.
The month-long event helps raise money for the Fisher House by allowing people to place bets on who they believe will win each race. Those bets are given in the form of a donation the Fisher House. To date, the event has raised more than $3,600 for the Fisher House and Wounded Warrior Project since starting in 2013. Money raised now goes toward nonprofit Celebrate HARVEST, whose mission it is to preserve the family farm for present-day and future farmers through helping promote and financially support experiential farming, aka agritainment to them.
Each “betting” participant receives a special duck bill. They also receive a numbered raffle ticket – they keep half and put the other half in the betting slot of their “predicted” winner. At the end of the race, the announcer will draw a name from the “winning” duck’s slot, and that individual will win a prize from one of our sponsors.
Dates of the races: Oct. 1/2, Oct. 8/9, Oct. 15/16, Oct. 22/23 and Oct. 29/30 (weather permitting); Time: 1 pm and 3 pm each weekend day; Price: included with farm admission.
Celebrate HARVEST: a vehicle that’ll help farmers reimagine farming Celebrate HARVEST is simply a vehicle for helping farms travel from where they currently find themselves toward a more non-traditional, profitable and sustainable method of farming – experiential farming or agritainment/agritourism. This allows the farmer to become a price-maker versus a price-taker in the market place by offering memory-making experiences versus a commodity product.
Weekly Updates
Can’t Hold Us! QUACKlemore Swoops in to Win the Weekend
Wrap’n warrior leaves competition in his wake for a weekend of wins
It didn’t take long for an experienced QUACKlemore to take control of this season’s Mallard Musical Racing Series at Maris Farms. The wise and wily veteran captured 3 of 4 weekend races to take a commanding lead in the coveted month-long racing series leads all DUCKathletes in qualifying for the first marquee race of the season – The Rythmic River Run – slated for Oct. 10th.
Only Snoop DRAKE kept QUACKlemore from a weekend sweep with a controversial victory by less than a beak over him on Sunday afternoon’s final race.
“I’m not sure I saw it that way,” a miffed QUACKlemore told the post-race press gathering. “I’m pretty confident the judges weren’t watching the same race anyone else was. I should’ve had 4 wins this weekend, and I will not be as nonchalant about putting the hammer down next time.”
It’s the first season for the new Musical MALLARD Racing Series – presented by Toyota of Puyallup, Minter Industries, NW Fish Cartel and Goodwill ORR – after 3 season’s under the NasQUACK label, and it’s already got it’s already got some conflict and controversy.
“No season of duck racing at Maris Farms has ever been conflict-free,” recalled race announcer Dennis Riley. “And when you get this many big egos on the racecourse, you can anticipate there’ll be some fireworks, especially when it’s two racers from the same musical genre!”
Snoop DRAKE has no love lost for QUACKlemore and certainly wasn’t backing down from what he believed was a very fair & square victory on Sunday.
“QUACKlemore can quack all he wants about this and that, but in the end, the “W” still fell under my column,” Snoop told the post-race press gathering. “He’ll have to realize he doesn’t just get a win for showing up, and just cuz he hadn’t lost up to that point, it doesn’t mean crap to any of us.”
For this past weekend, a total of $120 was raised for local nonprofit Celebrate HARVEST through the “bets” that race fans placed (in the form of a donation) on the races. A total of 131 “bets” were placed and QUACKlemore had the most bets placed on him with 39. Snoop DRAKE had the second most bets with 25. Racing will resume this weekend – Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 3 pm – at Maris Farms. A duck “parade” from the duck quarters to the race pond precedes each race and then they march back to their quarters following each race.
Here are the results after the first weekend:
| DUCKS | WINS | BETS PLACED |
|---|---|---|
| #1 – Michael QUACKson | 0 | 20 |
| #2 – DUCKtor Drey | 0 | 23 |
| #3 – Reba QUACKentire | 0 | 24 |
| #4 – QUACKlemore | 3 | 39 |
| #5 – Snoop DRAKE | 1 | 25 |
Thank you also to the many other supporting partners of this event:
Toyota of Puyallup, Goodwill ORR, NW Fish Cartel, Minter Industries, Rainier Fresh, Skulpt Woodcarving, Firehouse Pub, True Imagery Facepainting, Maris Farms Mini-Donuts, Westside Pizza, Glow Martini Lounge, Hops n Drops and Area253 Glassblowing
Snoop DRAKE rallies, overtakes QUACKlemore for series lead
After winning 3 of 4 weekend races, waddling wrapper takes momentum into ‘Rhythmic River Run’
As dominant as QUACKlemore was in weekend #1 of racing at Maris Farms, most thought he would be the runaway winner of this season’s Musical MALLARD Racing Series. Then, waddling wrap rival Snoop DRAKE woke up in weekend #2 and said “NOT SO FAST!”
The upstart DUCKathlete took 3 of 4 weekend races to gain momentum heading into the first marquee race of the season this Saturday (Rhythmic River Run), quiet the critics and surpass QUACKlemore for the series lead with 4 victories. QUACKlemore is still stuck on 3.
“What a momentum shift, and what an “in your face” to those who questioned his 1 win last weekend,” race announcer Dennis Riley said. “And one of those who questioned his win was actually QUACKlemore, haha. There’s going to be plenty of fireworks for this weekend’s Rhythmic River Run, and especially if it comes down to these two quacks!”
Six special DUCKathletes are competing in the new Musical MALLARD Racing Series – presented by Toyota of Puyallup, Minter Industries, NW Fish Cartel and Goodwill ORR – and it’s been extremely contentious at times, if not downright divisive.
“I told you all that QUACKlemore quack-yappin’ out his tiny little duck hole last week after his one and only race to me at the end of the day,” Snoop told the post-race press gathering. “And as I said last weekend in this very same room, he’ll have to realize he doesn’t just get a win for showing up.!”
And after a winless weekend that saw him lose his top-of-the-leader-board spot, just what was on QUACKlemore’s mind?
“QUACKin’ going to have to re-group and get my mind right this week,” he told the press, following the final race on Sunday. “It can just as easily switch back momentum-wise this next week. Let’s just see how things play out. I’ve heard enough QUACK-talkin’ from Mr. Snoopy.”
For this past weekend, a total of $140 ($260 total thru 2 weeends) was raised for local nonprofit Celebrate HARVEST through the “bets” that race fans placed (in the form of a donation) on the races. A total of 189 (320 thru 2 weekends) “bets” were placed and QUACKlemore had the most bets placed on him with 62. Snoop DRAKE had the second most bets with 50. Racing will resume this weekend – Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 3 pm – at Maris Farms. A duck “parade” from the duck quarters to the race pond precedes each race and then they march back to their quarters following each race.
Here are the results after the second weekend:
| DUCKS | WINS | BETS PLACED | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 – Michael QUACKson | 0 | 29 | 49 |
| #2 – DUCKtor Drey | 1 | 23 | 46 |
| #3 – Reba QUACKentire | 0 | 26 | 50 |
| #4 – QUACKlemore | 3 | 61 | 100 |
| #5 – Snoop DRAKE | 4 | 50 | 75 |
Thank you also to the many other supporting partners of this event:
Toyota of Puyallup, Goodwill ORR, NW Fish Cartel, Minter Industries, Rainier Fresh, Skulpt Woodcarving, Firehouse Pub, True Imagery Facepainting, Maris Farms Mini-Donuts, Westside Pizza, Glow Martini Lounge, Hops n Drops and Area253 Glassblowing
QUACKlemore, Snoop DRAKE knotted at 5 wins apiece
In battle of waddling QUACK wrappers, DUCKtor Drey wins ‘Rhythmic River Run’, Snoop DRAKE wins late Saturday race & QUACKlemore takes both races on Sunday
Only three DUCKathletes have earned wins during this season’s Musical MALLARD Racing Series (presented by Toyota of Puyallup, Minter Industries, Goodwill ORR and NW Fish Cartel), and they’re all from the QUACK wrap genre. We have completed the halfway point of the 6-weekend duck-racing competition, and the Musical Mallard Racing Series title is still up for grab between this trio.
“All waddling wrappers, and two of them – QUACKlemore and Snoop DRAKE – look like they will vie for the series title when it’s all said and done,” race announcer Dennis “QUACKmaster” Riley said Sunday following the last race of the weekend. “The only other DUCKathlete that has earned a win (actually 2 so far) won the Rhythmic River Run, the first marquee race of the season, on Saturday. That’s a pretty impressive group of waddling quack wrappers.”
QUACKlemore and Snoop DRAKE are now knotted at 5 wins apiece as the field of five racers prepare for this Saturday’s second marquee race (The Billboard Basin Cup), set for Saturday at 2 pm, at Maris Farms.
“It’s time to start separating the pretenders from the QUACKtenders,” QUACKlemore told a post-race press gathering on Sunday afternoon. “I have a feeling it’s going to go back and forth between me and Snoop DRAKE – it always has been!”
DUCKtor Drey was satisfied he could snag the Rhythmic River Run this past Saturday and believes with one solid weekend of 2 or 3 wins, he’ll be in contention for a series title with the two current leaders.
“I’m not going down without a fight, even if that means I have to get a little physical in the water and on the top platform,” he told the press. “I’ve heard enough QUACK-talkin’ from Mr. DRAKE and QUACKlemore. They both think they’re going to be the last two standing when this thing ends. I may still have a few tricks up my feather sleeves.”
For this past weekend, a total of $237 ($497 total thru 3 weekends) was raised for local nonprofit Celebrate HARVEST through the “bets” that race fans placed (in the form of a donation) on the races. A total of 274 “bets” (594 thru 3 weekends) were placed, and DUCKtor Drey had the most bets placed on him with 59. QUACKlemore had the second most bets with 57. Racing will resume this weekend – Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 3 pm – at Maris Farms. A duck “parade” from the duck quarters to the race pond precedes each race and then they march back to their quarters following each race.
Here are the results after the third weekend:
| DUCKS | WINS | BETS PLACED | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 – Michael QUACKson | 0 | 56 | 105 |
| #2 – DUCKtor Drey | 2 | 59 | 105 |
| #3 – Reba QUACKentire | 0 | 52 | 102 |
| #4 – QUACKlemore | 5 | 57 | 157 |
| #5 – Snoop DRAKE | 5 | 50 | 125 |
Thank you also to the many other supporting partners of this event:
Toyota of Puyallup, Goodwill ORR, NW Fish Cartel, Minter Industries, Rainier Fresh, Skulpt Woodcarving, Firehouse Pub, True Imagery Facepainting, Maris Farms Mini-Donuts, Westside Pizza, Glow Martini Lounge, Hops n Drops and Area253 Glassblowing
2026 Preview
Finely tuned fowl prepare for 2026 duck races Musical MALLARDS to challenge for top DUCK-athlete this fall at Maris Farms
Two new DUCK-athletes will join three wiley veterans in this season’s 6-week long duck race series at Maris Farms – known as the Musical MALLARD racing series and managed by nonprofit Celebrate HARVEST. The Musical MALLARD racing series is presented by Toyota of Puyallup, Minter Industries, NW Fish Cartel and Goodwill ORR this season. It is geared more toward a musical stars theme the likes of POP, Wrap and Country genres.
“The Musical MALLARD racing series features some well-tuned DUCK-athletes with strong lungs and great waddling moves,” track master and event coordinator Steve Templeman said. “It’s our first year for the newly named series (known formerly as the NasQUACK racing series), and I believe it was a true success in 2023, 2024 & 2025. This season features a solid field of experienced WRAP & Rollers along with an exceptional upstart set of Quack Country & POP DUCK-athletes.”
The experienced group of WRAP & Rollers include #2 DUCKtor Dre, #4 QUACKlemore and #5 Snoop Drake while the young upstarts include #1 Michael QUACKson and #3 Reba QUACKentire.
All proceeds from bets placed by race fans this fall will go to Celebrate HARVEST, whose mission it is to preserve family farms by inspiring and financially supporting present-day farmers and future experiential farmers. Celebrate HARVEST funds and manages the 6-week long event for Maris Farms.
“Our title sponsors, Toyota of Puyallup, Goodwill ORR, Minter Industries and NW Fish Cartel, give the event a big boost from a local businesses,” Templeman explained. “The financial assistance and prizes they’re offering will definitely be motivating for both the DUCK-athletes and the fans who are wagering on them!”
Skulpt Wood Carving, Wally’s White River Drive-In, Westside Pizza, Rainier Fresh, Hops n’ Drops, Skulpt Woodcarving, Area253 Glassblowing, Maris Farms Mini Donuts, True Images Face Painting, Wellhouse in Buckley and Glow Martini Lounge are also providing prizes for the racing series.
The series will feature 3 marquee races, slated for the middle three weekends of the month – the Rythmic River Run on Oct. 10th, The Billboard Basin Cup on Oct. 17th and the Mallard Musical Cup on Oct. 24th.
“These are some top-notch QUACK-letic fowl, “race announcer and QUACKmaster Dennis Riley said. “I think the marquee races are going to be an added benefit for them and for the crowd – there’ll be a lot more hype!”
Training started late this fall and is continuing up to opening day, Sept. 26th. The Buckley farm hosts the live duck races at 1 and 3 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. A duck “parade” from the duck quarters to the race pond precedes each race and then they march back to their quarters following each race.
The mantra remains the same: swim, flutter and run! It’s live duck racing with a car racing twist!
2026 Musical MALLARD Racing Series features the following DUCK-athletes:
#1 – Michael QUACKson
#2 – DUCKtor Drey
#3 – Reba QUACKentire
#4 – QUACKlemore
#5 – Snoop DRAKE