Deming’s Great American Duck Race will return to the grounds of the Luna County Courthouse this month, upholding a decades-old local tradition. Yes, the ducks are real, and yes, they really run races – on dry tracks and in water; yet much more goes on here.
Organize count this as the 45th duck race, but as the Deming Headlight reported in an editorial last year, that depends on how you count: “The inaugural duck race was held in 1980. Like many annual events, the COVID-19 pandemic messed everything up: The event did not happen in 2020 and 2021 — and really, how would we race ducks virtually?”
Besides competitive waterfowl and cash prizes for the winners’ human sponsors, the four-day event includes the Tournament of Ducks Parade, the Duck Royalty Pageant, The Great American Outhouse Race, The Great American Horseshoe Tournament and The Great American Tortilla Toss.
Duck races have become a big-ticket item at state fairs and summer festivals across the country, but the Great American Duck Race in Deming is the one that started it all, organizers say. Launched by a group of enterprising community leaders hoping to stimulate business and bring attention to the town, the duck race put Deming on the map. This year’s theme, “Hula to the finish line,” expresses the lighter side of what has become big business for the southern New Mexican town, as the event has seen annual estimated attendance topping 10,000.
The New Mexico Tourism Department supports the Great American Duck Race through its Tourism Event Growth and Sustainability program.
The event transforms the grounds of the historic county courtthouse into “Deming Duck Downs,” with carnival rides and games, food trucks and booths, lines of vending tables and, in the center, the duck corral and wet and dry tracks where attendees pay a small fee to launch a duck for a chance at a cash grand prize.
Live musical bands to be featured include Mariachi Aguilas, the 575 Band, Zia Norteña, Rockabilly Strangers and Cautivo Norteña. Additional attractions include a hot air balloon rally (weather permitting), a golf scramble, a skateboard competition, cornhole and softball tournaments, arts and crafts and more.
The Great American Duck Race waddles up fun from 12-4 p.m., Thursday - Sunday, August 22 - 25, at Deming’s Courthouse Park, 700 S. Silver Ave., Deming. Additional info is available at 575-567-3905 or DemingDuckRace.com.
