Thame Duck Race

This year’s duck race takes place on Sunday 10th June. The race starts on the old town bridge, which is accessed from the bottom of Priest End, behind St Mary’s church. Gates open at 10.30am and the race will start at 11am and finish around 12pm.

Tickets always sell well, so you may need to be 'quack' off the mark if you don't want to miss out! In the run up to the weekend, tickets will be on sale at The Cross Keys PH, Thame Town Hall and Rumsey's. On the weekend itself, they will be available on Thame Round Table's stall at Thame fete, which is held the day before the race. There will also be some tickets on sale at the start line on the morning of the race, although in previous years the event has been known to sell out on the day, so it's best to try and buy tickets in advance if you can.

About Duck Race

Every year on the morning after Thame Carnival, Thame & District Round Table takes to the river and stages their annual duck race. The event, which takes place on the river in Thame itself, has become a family favourite in Thame’s calendar over the years and regularly attracts a good crowd.

The race is effectively a giant floating lottery, which involves dropping more than 2,000 individually numbered rubber ducks into the River Thame. If you have bought a ticket with a number that matches one of the first three ducks over the line, you win a cash prize. All other proceeds from the ticket sales are donated to local causes.

Adding to the fun is the irrepressible pirate, Captain Ducky. A children's favourite and housewives' choice (albeit quite often his choice, not theirs), the Captain is there to see that the event proceeds, despite his attempts to organise it! Over the years he has followed the ducks down river in a variety of craft, but has ended up in the drink often enough to qualify for an RNLI loyalty card.