Rubber Ducky Race Returns to Rochester Today

Ducks will be flocking to Rochester today.

The seventh annual Rochester Rubber Ducky Race returns today to Rochester Municipal Park. The event, a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan, begins at 12:30 p.m. with an old-fashioned carnival and 5K fun run at the park.

The actual race, in which thousands of ducks are dumped into the creek from the bridge on the north side of the park, begins at 2 p.m.

The race is the creation of Rochester Hills mom Donetta Behen, who came up with the idea seven years ago as a way to thank the community that helped her family get through a tough time. Daughter Morgan Behen fought brain cancer as a child; the Behen family received a "wish trip" (to swim with dolphins in Florida) while Morgan was going through her treatments.

All proceeds from the event benefit the Behen family's team for the Wish-A-Mile 300 Bicycle Tour, which directly benefits Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Ducks are $4 apiece or three for $10. If your adopted duck wins the race, you could win a prize — and bragging rights to owning the town's speediest duck.