Each September, just as the North Texas heat begins to ease, hundreds of spectators gather around to watch tens of thousands of rubber ducks race down the intricately designed river located in the heart of the mixed-use development, The River Walk at Central Park. The Duck Derby is an award-winning annual fundraising event held by the Cross Timbers Rotary Club that raises money for local non-profit organizations in the North Texas area. Last year, this one event alone raised more than $80,000 benefiting over 30 charities including Kyle’s Place Journey to Dream, Cloud 9 Charities, Argyle High School Rotary Interact Club, New Hope Equine Assisted Therapy, Winning the Fight, Habitat for Humanity of Denton County and Helping Hands for Little Hearts, to name a few.

Our team’s passion for community goes deeper than sponsorship. From putting stickers on the ducks and surveying the locations for the vendors to going out in the river in kayaks to set up buoys and welding together the contraption that holds and releases the ducks, our team’s commitment to the success of this event each year energizes us.

“It’s the community feeling; everyone coming together to support all of the local business and non-profits in this fun way,” recalls Billie Cantu, Director of Administrative Services for McAdams. “Seeing the families eating together, playing games, watching the ducks race to the end; it’s special, and it’s a special event to be a part of in a community that McAdams helped create.”

This event may look a little different this year, but the goal is still the same: to help raise money for those in need. The ducks will still race down the river this Saturday, September 19. To catch the event virtually, visit the Cross Timbers Rotary Club Facebook Page where they will be broadcasting live through Facebook. If you are interested in adopting a duck, please click here and then click on ‘Adopt a Duck’.

Learn more about The River Walk at Central Park here.