Duck Race, Kids Fest will be June 1 at Chalet

A rubber duck race on the Rocky River and a free Kids Fest are set for June 1 at the Cleveland Metroparks Chalet in Strongsville

The event, which runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., will be sponsored by Pat Catan’s Craft Centers and hosted by the Rotary Club of Strongsville.

Kids Fest activities will include pony rides, inflatables, magic, face painting and Touch-a-Truck, featuring a Strongsville fire engine and other vehicles.

Hot dogs, snacks and beverages will be available.

Metroparks NatureTracks, a mobile classroom designed to expand visitors' knowledge of nature, will be on-site.

“This is a community event that focuses on kids,” said Rotarian George Grozan, coordinator of Kids Fest. “It will be safe, it will be fun and it will be free." 

Rubber ducks, which will race 7/10-mile through the Rocky River, are available for “adoption” for $10 each, or a flock of three for $20. Prizes will be awarded to the owners of the first 10 ducks to cross the finish line – starting with a $2,000 top prize.

Ducks will be launched into the Rocky River at 2 p.m. at the Strongsville Wildlife area and will race to the bridge at the Chalet entrance. Depending on the river’s current, the race is expected to take 15 to 30 minutes.

No parking will be available at the Chalet, except for handicapped parking. Free shuttle service will be provided to and from the RTA Park-N-Ride parking lot at the Ohio Turnpike entrance on Pearl Road.

Proceeds from the Duck Race will benefit the renovation of the Metroparks Wintergreen Cabin in Strongsville, and other Rotary service projects. 

To adopt ducks, visit StrongsvilleDuckRace.com.