Zoom Duck Derby

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Saturday, June 20, 2026

Zoombezi Bay

4850 Powell Rd, Powell, OH 43065

The Zoom Duck Derby is our signature fundraising event, bringing together community leaders, businesses, and families to support our mission. 7,000 rubber ducks will race down the lazy river competing for cash prizes up to $1,500! Rubber ducks are $5 each. Anyone in the USA can participate, and you do not need to be present to win. Additional games, prizes and crafts for kids! Plus, exclusive time on select water attractions.

Last summer’s race raised nearly $26,000! Please join us again in adopting rubber ducks for a great cause. Duck sales started on April 1 – click here to adopt your ducks!

This year, the funds raised from Zoom Duck Derby will help expand opportunities for skill-building within our workforce development programs. At Alpha, we foster independence and empower individuals to meet their employment goals. We know that a quality job in a kind and inclusive environment improves mental health, leads to financial stability, creates friendships, and provides a sense of purpose. With a successful event, we plan to put our workforce development program on a path toward long-term success.

HELP US REACH OUR 7,000 RUBBER DUCK GOAL:

Buy a derby duck for $5. Or buy a package and get some free ducks! Click here to adopt your racing ducks or text “ZOOM DUCK DERBY” to 833-997-0600.
Adult Waddles Pass: $30
Duckling Waddles Pass: $20 – For kids ages 4-12. This pass does not include a $5 duck for the race. If you would like to participate in the race, please purchase a duck separately.

Your Waddles Pass includes:

One rubber duck to race! (Included with an Adult Waddles Pass).
All day entry into Zoombezi Bay and The Columbus Zoo & Aquarium.
Free Parking.
Kids’ Zone with games, prizes and crafts.
Enjoy 90-minutes in the wave pool and select water attractions before the park opens to the public! Sponsored by the Fraternal Order Of Eagles #376
Enjoy beach-themed music from our DJ.
Kids ages 3 and under are free.

The first 300 guests to arrive will receive a special Goodie Bag sponsored by Modern Woodman Fraternal Financial.

Coupons for a free slice of pizza at Mikey’s Late Night Slice, and a free sandwich and dessert at Chick-fil-A are included!

If you have a season pass to Zoombezi Bay, you may attend without a Waddles Pass, however, you must purchase a $5 duck. Contact chelsieholmes@alphagroup.net if you plan to attend with your season pass, so you can be added to the registration list.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to learn about an Early Bird promo code! Those signed up for our monthly newsletter will receive the Early Bird code too!

Special thanks to our “Quacktastic” event sponsors! Click here for a list of our supporters.

Social Media Toolkit

Click here for ready-to-post captions, scheduling guidance, and best practices for sponsors and event partners. Thank you for helping us spread the word!

Thanks to our Media Sponsor, ABC 6 / Fox 28, for this wonderful coverage of Zoom Duck Derby and to Sports Director, Dave Holmes for volunteering as emcee!

Check out what The Alpha Group’s CEO, Liz Owens-Detillion, had to say about Zoom Duck Derby in this Local 4 You segment by NBC4 Columbus.

Click here for more photos.

We are excited to welcome back our event emcee, Dave Holmes, Sports Director for ABC6/FOX28. Click here to read his bio.

Thanks to sponsors, Zoombezi Bay will open one of their restaurants so Zoom Duck Derby guests can purchase food and beverage during the event.

Beneficiary

Event proceeds will support programs and services for individuals with disabilities.

The Alpha Group provides services to more than 500 members in 11 Ohio counties –
Ashland, Crawford, Delaware, Huron, Franklin, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Richland, Union, and Wayne.
83 cents of every dollar raised goes back to programming.
On average, our transportation department travels 3,000 miles per month; taking our members to medical appointments, their jobs, etc.
To learn more about The Alpha Group, read our 2024 Annual Report.

For general event questions or sponsorship information, contact Chelsie Holmes, Marketing & Events Coordinator for The Alpha Group at chelsieholmes@alphagroup.net or 614-843-5582.

Photographs and/or video will be taken at this event. By attending this event, you are giving event organizers permission to use photos and/or video for promotional use of Zoom Duck Derby and The Alpha Group (including but not limited to online and print promotions).

Thank you for making the 9th annual Zoom Duck Derby presented by Alluvial Wealth on Sunday, July 13, 2025 successful! Because of your support, thousands of ducks were adopted and hundreds of tickets were sold, making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities in central Ohio and surrounding counties.

Event proceeds are still being tallied. Stay tuned for a final amount.

Congratulations to this year’s winners! 10 ducks swam fast enough for a prize. Below is our list our winners!

If you see your name above, we will contact you about your prize!

ALL 6,000 DUCKS HAVE BEEN ADOPTED!

If you’d like to attend the event to watch the ducks race, we still have Waddles Passes available.

Online registration has closed. Walk-ins are welcome! We can take cash, check or credit card at our registration/check-in table at the event. $20 for kids and $25 for adults. 3 and under are free.

Please note: You must arrive at Zoombezi Bay by 9:30 am on Sunday, July 14 to pick up and/or purchase your passes.