Manchester Duck Race 2015

Ducking Good Friday fun

I love the Manchester Duck Race! The day when thousands of little yellow ducks are launched into the River Irwell just behind Spinningfields, jostling for position as they go.

The last time I went the wind was blowing in the wrong direction, so the flock decided to swim upstream, which wasn’t at all part of the plan!

As usual, this year’s Duck Race will take place Good Friday (April 3rd). The race itself will start at 2pm.

There will be a whole host of activity set to take place across Spinningfields, to entertain families.

Now in its sixth year, it costs just £1 to enter a racing duck. Ducks can be bought online or on the day, with all proceeds going to local children’s charity Brainwave.

There will be six winners of the family race on the day:

1^st prize: £150 Duck and Cover clothing voucher

2^nd prize: Meal for four at Carluccios

3^rd prize: Meal for four at Scene

4^thprize: Tickets for a family of four to the Opera house

5^th prize: Tickets for a Coronation Street tour for four

6^th prize: BUMPER PACKAGE bouquet from David Wayman, meal platter from Nandos and a £10 voucher from Hey Little Cupcake.

Corporate race

The day also includes a corporate race, in which businesses sponsor and decorate foot high rubber ducks. All of which makes for quite a spectacle!

A giant inflatable duck, sponsored by Duck and Cover clothing, will also take up residence on Hardman Boulevard, and there will be a number of additional activities including a hook a duck, cups and saucers, a safari train ride, chair-o-planes and a number of inflatables such as a bouncy castle and slide.

As well as the numerous restaurants on site, there will be several food vans selling the likes of candy floss, ice cream and hot food.

Bitter Twisted will be providing a VIP bar on the day as well as a bar for the general public on Crown Square, with a percentage of the proceeds donated to Brainwave.

For more information about the Manchester Duck Race, click here.