This Duck Day, stand behind the Rivera Memorial Foundation, a community cornerstone in Waterbury, CT, dedicated to uplifting and empowering the next generation. Founded in 1990 to honor the legacies of firefighters Heriberto “Eddie” Rivera and Howard Hughes, this nonprofit organization continues to build brighter futures through education, enrichment, and support.
Empowering Youth, Honoring Legacy
Rooted in the spirit of service and resilience, the Rivera Memorial Foundation offers dynamic programs that foster intellectual, emotional, social, and moral growth in children and teens. Whether it’s through tutoring, sports, or leadership development, every initiative carries forward the legacy of two local heroes who gave their lives in service.
After-School & Summer Programs That Make a Difference
For students in grades K–12, the foundation provides enriching after-school programs designed to boost academic success and personal growth. During the summer, children stay engaged with learning and social activities that prevent the “summer slide” and foster friendships in a safe, encouraging environment.
Building Skills On and Off the Field
Through youth sports programs, participants learn more than just the rules of the game — they develop teamwork, discipline, confidence, and community pride. Guided by passionate volunteer coaches, these young athletes grow in ways that will serve them long after the final whistle.
Participate in the Duck Day Raffle: Help Us Keep the Legacy Alive
By purchasing a Duck Day Raffle ticket, you directly support the Rivera Memorial Foundation’s transformative programs. Each ticket helps fund educational materials, sports equipment, healthy meals, and mentoring opportunities — giving local youth the tools to succeed.
Your Duck = Their Growth and Opportunity
Every ticket sold is a step toward brighter futures for children and teens in our community. With your support, we can continue to honor the memory of Rivera and Hughes by investing in the full potential of the next generation.
Help Dreams Take Flight — Buy Your Duck Today!
Support the Rivera Memorial Foundation this Duck Day by purchasing your raffle tickets. Together, we can carry forward a legacy of courage and compassion — one duck, one child, and one opportunity at a time.
Make a splash for a good cause with a Duck Day Raffle Ticket! Each duck is just $5, and when you sponsor one, 50% of your purchase directly supports the charity featured on this page. Join us in a fun-filled race where every duck brings us closer to making a real difference in our community. Don’t miss your chance to win great prizes while helping those in need. Buy your duck today and watch it compete at Duck Day! Let’s quack the code on community support together—sponsor your duck now!
Individual Non-Profit ticket sales have ended, but there’s still time to enter your Duck into the 2025 Duck Day Race!
Click the link below to get tickets!
The 2025 Duck Day Race kicks off at 2pm on June 1st. Be sure to check the prizes page to check if you’re a winner!
Dive into the quacktastic world of Duck Day, an extraordinary event that has been making a splash since its creation in 2005 by the Naugatuck Chamber. The main event of the day is the Great Duck Day Race. Imagine over 20,000 rubber ducks joyously racing down the Naugatuck River, each one vying to be among the first 20 to cross the finish line and claim fabulous prizes. With the top prize of $5,000 awaiting one lucky ticket holder, the excitement is simply ducky!
But Duck Day is more than just a race; it’s a delightful festival that brings the heart of downtown Naugatuck to life! Maple and Water Streets are transformed into a vibrant wonderland where food and craft vendors tempt your taste buds, live music sets your feet tapping, and games and activities keep the kids giggling with joy. The festivities also offer a fantastic opportunity for businesses to showcase their products and services to the enthusiastic crowd of over 5,000 attendees.
Beyond the fun and frolic, Duck Day carries a heartwarming mission to support the local community. Over the previous decades, this feather-filled celebration has helped more than 375 organizations raise nearly half a million dollars through the Duck Race fundraising activities.
Don’t miss your chance to join the flock of enthusiastic participants! Please note that Chamber employees are not eligible to participate in the draw. The more entries we receive, the quackier the race becomes, increasing your chances of being a winner! All participants must be over 16 years of age to enter this exciting event. So, grab your tickets and join us for a day of quacktastic fun and meaningful contributions to our community!
Welcome to the Duck Day 2026 Duck Duck Jeep! Competition
If you have any questions, please call the Chamber at 203-757-0701
Welcome to the DuckDay 2025 Food Vendor Application!
Thank you for your interest in being a part of Duck Day 2025! At this time, all food vendor spaces have been filled, and we are no longer accepting applications in this category.
We truly appreciate your enthusiasm and hope you’ll consider joining us next year. Registration for Duck Day 2026 will open in late March 2026, so please stay tuned and apply early to secure your spot at this beloved community celebration.
We look forward to the opportunity to work with you in the future and welcome you into the Duck Day family!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Chamber at 203-729-4511.
Welcome to the DuckDay 2026 Food Vendor Application!
We are thrilled to see your interest in joining us for what promises to be an unforgettable experience. At DuckDay, we celebrate diversity, creativity, and the joy of food, bringing together the best vendors to delight our guests.
However, please understand that space is limited, and in our quest to provide a wide variety of culinary delights, Duck Day Representatives reserve the right to review and select applications based on a variety of criteria. This process ensures that all our guests can enjoy a broad spectrum of flavors and experiences.
Key Points to Note:
*PLEASE NOTE: To ensure a diverse and unique culinary experience for all our guests, Duck Day Representatives reserve the right to limit the number of similar vendors and carefully curate the selection. This may mean that we cannot accommodate every application, as our aim is to prevent duplication and ensure a wide variety of options for our attendees.
No Initial Fees: There are no charges for applying. Billing details and participation fees will only be discussed and applied upon acceptance into DuckDay 2026.
We appreciate your understanding and enthusiasm. Our goal is to create an environment that celebrates food, community, and innovation. Thank you for considering being a part of DuckDay 2026. Here’s to creating a fantastic experience together!
If you have any questions, please call the Chamber at 203-757-0701
By submitting this form, you agree to the following terms and conditions:
If you have any questions, please call the Chamber at 203-757-0701