Channels:   Unique California > previous  > next  /   Huntington Beach Events > previous >  next   Duck-A-Thon Duck Race is held each year at the Huntington Beach Pier   Duck-a-thon is an annual event held each May in Huntington Beach to raise money for the Community Care Centers, providing medical care for those who can't afford it.  This event is held the weekend after Mother's Day weekend, and often begins on Friday evening with a casual tent-style wine and cheese sampler reception for those 21 and older who purchase tickets and stand outdoors at Pier Plaza overlooking the Huntington Beach Pier. Duck-a-thon is one of many California duck derbies.   Friday, May 16, 2008 Duck-a-Thon Wine Tasting; location Pier Plaza, Huntington Beach Pier, Huntington Beach, CA. Outstanding wines and hors d'oeuvres. Time: 6 - 8 pm. Tickets: $50 (approx.) duck-a-thon.org Saturday, May 17, 2008 Duck Festival goes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pier Plaza. Music, food, booths, crafts and a view of thousands of ducks before they are launched. Rubber Duckie Race at Huntington Beach Pier, Huntington Beach, CA. Time: 3 pm. Ducks sold day of event. Sunday, May 18, 2007 Duck Festival goes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pier Plaza. Music, food, booths, crafts. Don Watson Corporate Challenge at Huntington Beach Pier, Huntington Beach, CA. Time: 3 pm. Saturday and Sunday are the Duck-a-thon fun days for families. Rubber ducks are sold (sponsored) and entered into a race of sorts. Dumped from a huge bulldozer at the Huntington Beach Pier, the ducks are supposed to float to shore with the tides. The first to arrive and be captured by volunteer crews who snag them are awarded prizes to the owners.  In addition to this exciting race (most exciting as you can't predict what children will do--grabbing the ducks when asked not to), there is often a band at a Pier Plaza, vendor booths and prize opportunities for those who purchase tickets.    The duck derby event is located across the street from the Best Western Huntington Beach Inn. You can walk from the hotel to the pier and enjoy all the fun, just 2 1/2 blocks away.  Other nearby hotels include  the Hilton Waterfront Resort (3 1/2 blocks).   Single-handedly organized by a small group of civic volunteers, the event work goes on behind the scenes most of the year. For more information about Duck-a-thon, they usually post the upcoming event a few weeks to months before it occurs. duck-a-thon.org   Huntington Beach and California are both event driven. Major events usually run 2 to 8 days and include surfing competitions, marathons, concerts, 4th of July parade and even a paintball competition on the beach.  The hotel rooms often sell out for the major events, but there are plenty of days throughout the year to enjoy overnight or weekend stays in Huntington Beach.