7th Annual Duck Derby Draws Large Crowds to Ocala’s Tuscawilla Park | PHOTOS

Saga CommunicationsThe rubber ducks were pushed along the lake at the 7th Annual Duck Derby at Tuscawilla Park on March 21. Amber Battillo/352today

OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The 7th Annual Ocala Duck Derby took place on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Tuscawilla Park. Crowds of visitors joined the festivities with vendors lining the sidewalks along Lake Tuscawilla, children’s activities taking place in grass patches and the final drop of the rubber ducks into Lake Tuscawilla.

Food vendors took over the area with cakes, Italian ice, dirty sodas, classics such as hot dogs and burgers, cookies, themed decorations and much more. Other vendors sold jewelry, cups, plants, 3D printed items and much more with some advertising companies such as State Farm and Pointe Grand.

  • Two people stand in the window of a food truck, holding blue and orange Italian Ice.
    Teddy and Megan Nance with The Frozen Kiwi featured Italian ice and dirty sodas the 7th Annual Duck Derby at Tuscawilla Park on March 21. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • Guests at an event get drinks of a food truck.
    The Frozen Kiwi featured a variety of sweet treats, including dirty sodas, at the 7th Annual Duck Derby at Tuscawilla Park on March 21. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • A man sits at the edge of tables with plants and candles scattered on them.
    Carlos Marine Designer featured decorative plants at the 7th Annual Duck Derby at Tuscawilla Park on March 21. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • A hand holds a small tray with a pink cake inside. A tube of frosting squeezes frosting onto the cake.
    Lisa Butterfield with Proch Farmstand made small cakes for guests at the 7th Annual Duck Derby at Tuscawilla Park on March 21. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • Guests at the 7th Annual Duck Derby enjoyed small cakes from Porch Farmstand at Tuscawilla Park on March 21. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • Two people sit together at a table under a white canopy. The tablecloth is orange and gray reading, "Pointe Grand." On the table is advertorial items.
    Juan Pedraza and Brittany Woods featured advertised items for Pointe Grand at the 7th Annual Duck Derby at Tuscawilla Park on March 21. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • A white and red Volkswagen with strawberry designs on the front features an open window, acting as a food truck.
    Barefoot Baker featured a classic Volkswagen food truck with sweets at the 7th Annual Duck Derby at Tuscawilla Park on March 21. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • A woman sits behind a table under a canopy with multiple items for sale and giveaways.
    Suds & Sips featured giveaways, bottles and more items at the 7th Annual Duck Derby at Tuscawilla Park on March 21. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • A woman and her dog sit in a food truck window with a variety of vibrant decorations around them.
    Tammy Carlisle and her mascot, Brutus, with Tammy’s Sunshine featured a variety of teas and more drinks at the 7th Annual Duck Derby at Tuscawilla Park on March 21. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • Canopies are lined along a sidewalk shaded by tall trees. Under the canopies are vendors selling items.
    Vendors lined sidewalks along Lak Tuscawilla at the 7th Annual Duck Derby at Tuscawilla Park on March 21. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • A woman stands behind a table under a canopy with advertising for Dee's Delightful Cravings.
    Dee’s Delightful set up a booth, selling treats, at the 7th Annual Duck Derby at Tuscawilla Park on March 21. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today
  • Two women stand behind a table with a fantasy theme. A banner at the front reads, "Dragon Flame Bakery."
    Dragon Flame Bakery featured bakery items and eggs at the 7th Annual Duck Derby at Tuscawilla Park on March 21. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

A large, mobile stage stood at the edge of the activities area where kids could run through the grass, listen to music and participate in games. Lively activities took place throughout the day and included duck fishing from a kiddie pool, corn hole, a golden duck scavenger hunt and bounce houses.

A bounce house and slide stands in a grassy field with kids playing on it.
Two women and a young boy sit around a kiddie pool with ducks inside. The boy holds a pole, attempting to get a duck.

Guests continued to adopt ducks at the duck booth for $5 each until the final moments when the truck with all the ducks arrived at the lake’s edge. All proceeds from the event benefit the Discovery Center and other organizations associated with the Marion County Rotary Clubs.

A truck dumps hundreds of rubber ducks into a lake.
Hundreds of rubber ducks float along a river path marked by a white floating device. A firefighter sprays a strong hose to move them while a crowd watches.
A woman stands behind a desk holding up peace signs.
A giant, inflatable duck with sunglasses stands in front of a building with a blue, green and purple facade.