Up to 10,000 yellow rubber ducks will go down the Reedy River this Saturday in downtown Greenville for the 14th annual Duck Derby fundraising event.

The Duck Derby is the primary project of the Rotary Club of Greenville Evening, a service organization of local business people working together to give back to their community. Past Derby funds raised by “duck adoptions” have been donated to the Mauldin Miracle League, Early Act First Knight, and United Ministries.

The person whose duck makes it over the falls and through a chute at the bottom first wins groceries for a year from Publix. The second place finisher gets $1,500 cash. The third place finisher gets an all-expenses paid golf weekend at Embassy Suites.

In addition to the actual duck race, there will be local food vendors, activities, and live performances by local musicians. Five dollar all-day parking is available in the parking garage next to Camperdown. The event starts at 10 a.m. and goes through 4 p.m. with a “post time” at 2:30 p.m.

“We’ve worked hard to make this a fun family event that has, as of last year, become one of the top fundraisers in the area,” said Wendy Green, immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Greenville Evening. “We are ecstatic to see what this year holds.”

A new addition to the derby this year is the Duck Derby Hat Contest, sponsored by Locally Epic. Attendants are encouraged to enter the contest and wear a hat with a duck motif to the Duck Derby. The hats will be reviewed by a panel of local celebrity judges, and contest winners will be eligible for cash prizes.

“We are excited to be getting the opportunity to help the Duck Derby by bringing a fun, new element to the event,” said Chase Michaels, CEO of Locally Epic.

A single duck sponsorship is $10 and a four-duck “Quack Pack” is available for $30. For more information about adopting a duck visit www.duckrace.com/greenville. You can adopt to support a team by selecting the Team tab at the top of the page.  To register for the hat contest, visit www.locallyepic.com/derbyhat.

“The Duck Derby brings the community together like nothing else. This year is lining up to be our best yet,” Green said. “Beautiful weather, great entertainment, the energy of downtown, and the fundraising element work together to make this an exciting community event.”