Great Bullhole Duck Race Archives

Ducks on Sale Now! – Don’t Miss the Great Bullhole Duck Race & Family Festival on August 5th

Posted on July 20, 2023July 20, 2023 by Jeanna White

What is small, yellow, and floats? If you said a rubber ducky floating down the South Yadkin River, you would be correct!

Hundreds of rubber ducks will take a plunge into the South Yadkin near the Cooleemee dam on Saturday, August 5th, at 1 p.m. sharp.

The first numbered duck to reach the finish line downriver will win its “owner” a cash prize of $300. The 2nd place winner will garner its ticket-buyer $200, and the 3rd place finisher will win $100. That’s something worth quacking about!

This year’s Great Bullhole Duck Race, which runs from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., marks the 13th anniversary of the RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls’s annual summer fundraiser. Proceeds from the race support the ongoing operations of the park, aka The Bullhole, to ensure the park is clean and safe for visitors to enjoy.

“RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls, “The Bullhole,” has become a beautiful destination for our local community and visitors throughout the region. A place that gives you an aesthetically pleasing escape and the best of both mountain and coastal worlds combined,” said Paul Moore, director of Davie County Recreation & Parks and chair of the RiverPark Board. “Unlike many fundraisers, 100% of proceeds from this event go directly back to RiverPark. The event is fun, interactive, and filled with anticipation. If you have a single duck, a fire-quacker pack of ducks, or a flock of ducks in the race, you know exactly what excitement I’m talking about. Purchase your ticket(s) today or at the event. Bring your beach chairs, blankets, umbrellas, and duck tubes, and spend a fantabulous day with us at RiverPark!”

Bullhole Duck Race at RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls - Race and Family Festival Poster with Yellow Duck

Come Out and Enjoy the Whole Day!

There will be fun games for the kids before and after the race, and music and dancing for all to enjoy. Food and sweets will be available for purchase.

Adopt a Duck Today for Only $10

There’s only one way to win those cash prizes in the Duck Race, You have to buy a ticket. Single Duck tickets are $10 each, a “Firequacker” of five sells for $40, or you can purchase a “Flock” of fifteen for $100.

Buy Your Duck Tickets Today!

Tickets are available at the Davie County Chamber of Commerce, Cooleemee Town Hall, and Davie County Community Park. Duck tickets will also be sold until 12:45 pm at RiverPark.

The RiverPark board is grateful for the sponsors who are helping to make this event possible:

Davie Discount Drug, GNC, Yadkin Path Montessori, Phil Car Automotive, Lori Schilkowski Realtor, Snow Biz, Bank of the Ozarks, Main Street Brokers, Tar Heel Landworks LLC, Mocksville TDA, The Fish Bowl, Emergency Music Services, Davie County Tourism, Ink It Promotions, O’Neal Lawncare, and Thos Smart & Co LLC.

RiverPark is located at the end of Erwin Temple Church Road (just ½ mile from Cooleemee off Hwy 801 & Needmore Road). For up-to-date information, follow RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls on Facebook.

If you love the Bullhole, show your support!

The Great Bullhole Duck Race is back for 2021 – Saturday, August 14!

Posted on July 29, 2021July 29, 2021 by Nic Quance

Over 1000 yellow rubber duckies will be swimming towards the finish line as the Duck Race returns this year at Cooleemee’s River Park. This local event is full of fun, and some lucky winners will take home cash prizes for having the fastest duck of them all.

“It’s like a coming out party this year!” said Addison Davis, president of the park’s board of directors. “The Duck Race provides an opportunity for the community to enjoy a family-friendly park experience while supporting RiverPark. We’re looking forward to a really fun day!”

The race will be held on August 14th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The race starts at 1 p.m. sharp; the ducklings will take the plunge after embarking from the launched start and will have to dash to the marked finish line across the rushing water. Proceeds from this event will go towards keeping the park clean and well maintained. Vendors will be present, so attendants can enjoy food and drink while spectating the aquatic action.

The RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls, also called The Bullhole, is an outdoor park centering along the shores of the South Yadkin. Patrons can enjoy swimming in the Yadkin, hiking along trails, or relaxing by the shores. Picnic shelters are also available for patrons to enjoy. The park’s recreational appeal is funded by proceeds from events like the Duck Race, and preserving the South Yadkin is key to keeping the park alive.

Single Duck tickets are $5 each, the Quack-Pack bundle of five sells for $25, and a Flock of twenty-five ducks goes for $50. First place winner of the race will receive $250, second place $100, and third place $50. Tickets to enter a rubber duck are available from the Davie Chamber, 135 South Salisbury Street, or at the entrance to River Park on race day.

Businesses can also take part in the sponsorship opportunities present at this event. Sponsorships range from $100 donations to $1000 donations, each with their own benefits. For more information about sponsoring this event, contact the Davie Chamber at (336) 751-3304 or at chamber@daviecounty.com.

This year’s goal is to send over 1500 ducks into the water, and it will be a wild ride as spectators cheer on the floating faux fowl! River Park is located at 645 Erwin Temple Church Rd Cooleemee, NC 27054, and more information about this event can be found online at https://www.facebook.com/riverparkatcooleemeefalls/. Reserve your duck today, and have the chance to take home the winning prize!