After nearly 40 years, the Duck Race has fulfilled the purpose it was created for: bringing the community together in a joyful way while raising meaningful support for local nonprofits and scholarships.

Over the past year, our Board and leadership thoughtfully reviewed long-term watershed conditions affecting the Blue River and reflected on the Foundation’s next chapter. As our environment and community evolve, the way we gather must evolve as well.

This decision allows us to honor the Duck Race’s legacy while shaping future community engagement in ways that more directly connect people to impact.

The Board of Directors and Foundation leadership engaged in thoughtful discussion over time.

We considered environmental trends, community feedback, mission alignment, and the natural life cycle of the event. This was not a quick decision. It was a deliberate one.

No. While changing watershed conditions and environmental stewardship were important considerations, this decision was broader than any single season.

We looked at long-term trends, mission alignment, and how we want to gather as a community moving forward.

The Duck Race was a celebratory part of Labor Day Weekend for many years, and Summit County’s tourism and business community remains strong and vibrant beyond any single event.

The Foundation’s primary responsibility is philanthropic stewardship, and we remain committed to contributing to community vibrancy through mission-aligned engagement and collaboration.

No. The Summit Foundation remains fully committed to our community impact. While the Duck Race provided a fun and accessible way to support our work, our community’s commitment to caring for one another is stronger than any single event.