Do I need to be present to win?
No, you do not need to be present to win.  Winners will be announced at around 3:45, and if not present, will be notified by phone and email.

 

Where is the RVA Duck Race & Festival of Inclusion?
The RVA Duck Race & Festival of Inclusion will take place on Brown’s Island.  The official address is 500 Tredegar Street, Richmond, VA 23219.  You can access the Island through the pedestrian bridges, located at Tredegar and 5th, Tredegar and 7th, and the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge.

 

Is the Festival of Inclusion free?
Yes! It is free to join us on Brown’s Island, and to try all of the activities in the festival zones. No registration or duck purchase required. A suggested donation of $5 can be made at the Duck Central tent.

 

Where can I pick up or purchase souvenir ducks and t-shirts?
Be sure to visit Duck Central to pick up or purchase your souvenir ducks and t-shirts.

 

Will there be food and drinks available?
Yes, we will have food trucks with food available for purchase.  Beer, wine, and cider will also be available for purchase.  Limited water will be available on Brown’s Island until supplies run out, and water will be available for purchase at food trucks.

 

What safety considerations will be in place?
RMC Events staff will be performing bag checks at entrances to Brown’s Island.  Please see a list of prohibited items below.  Richmond Police and EMTs will also be present throughout the Festival.  We will have barriers and volunteers stationed along the water’s edge, but we encourage you to monitor members of your group to ensure they do not access the canal or river.

 

What Items are NOT allowed on Brown’s Island?

• Large backpacks, bags, coolers, etc.
• Outside food and beverage (*Food and drinks will be available for sale on-site)
• Alcohol (*Alcohol will be for sale on site)
• Bottles/glass containers (*sealed water bottles and empty reusable bottles are permitted)
• Contraband (drugs and weapons)
• Laser pointers
• Skateboards, inline skates
• Flying objects (drones, kites, frisbees, footballs, etc.)

 

How do you ensure the ducks aren't littering the James River?
The ASCV and eventfull are working with the Department of Public Works and our sponsor HEPACO to ensure no ducks get lost!  HEPACO will create a race course in the canal with oil booms.  The ducks will be corralled in the oil booms at all times throughout the race, and removed from the canal immediately after the race.  DPW will also close the gates at the end of the canal after the race, ensuring that if a duck was stuck in the mud and pops up in the days following the race, it will be caught by the gate and rescued by DPW.  No ducks will be able to enter the James River, and all ducks will be retrieved.  

 

Can I bring my dog?
Due to safety concerns, as well as some attendees’ fear of dogs, we ask that no pets other than registered service animals attend the event.

 

What happens if it rains?
We are a rain or shine event. There will be tents and tented areas for our community partners.  If inclement weather occurs, we will notify all participants of any schedule changes or alternate plans as soon as possible through our website, email, and social media!

 

Where do I park?
Street parking is a free option – get to the event early to take advantage of this! 

Paid Parking:

• Federal Reserve Parking Deck located off of Bragg Street at 5th or 7th Streets. Fee to park. Navigate to the Federal Reserve Deck via Google Maps here.  All vehicles wishing to park in the Federal Reserve Deck must access the deck by heading east on 7th St. and turning right onto Bragg St. No vehicles will be able to access this deck from 5th St. All cars parked in the Federal Reserve Deck must be removed by 11:59 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings. 

• Delta Hotels by Marriott parking deck, 555 E. Canal Street, Open 24/7

• 5th & Canal Street, Public parking after 5:00pm on weekdays, and 24/7 on weekends, Pay through “ParkMobile” by app or QR code, see signage on-site

• 4th & Canal Street, Public parking 24/7, Pay through “ParkMobile” by app or QR code, see signage on-site

• 1200 E Byrd Street (Reynolds lot), Public parking 24/7, See signage and pay-to-park kiosk on-site

• 8th & Cary Parking Deck, See signage and pay-to-park kiosk on-site

• See MAP for additional options

Please note: There is limited capacity in all parking decks.

Handicap accessible parking is available at the America Civil War Museum, 480 Tredegar St, Richmond, VA 23219.

 

Where is the wheelchair accessible entrance to the Island?
The pedestrian bridge at Tredegar and 5th Street provides wheelchair access to Brown’s Island.

 

What are the COVID-19 event guidelines?
All ASCV staff, volunteers, and participants are asked to stay home if feeling symptoms, which may include: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell.

 

What if the RVA Duck Race & Festival of Inclusion becomes too loud or overwhelming for me or a family member?
There will be multiple Sensory Friendly areas, hosted by community partners, available as a respite.  We will also have a Quiet Zone on the west side of the Island.  We also encourage you to bring headphones or other items that provide comfort.

 

Can I volunteer?
Yes!  Please Click Here to view all volunteer opportunities.  We have morning and afternoon shifts available.

 

Directions to Brown’s Island

Please note that Tredegar will be closed between 5th and 7th streets to vehicle traffic.

From the North and West:  Take I-64 east to I-95 south or just 95 south to the 3rd Street/Coliseum/Downtown Exit #75. You will be on 3rd Street. Go about 1 mile and at the 11th light, make a left on Byrd Street. 

From the East:  Take I-64 west to the 5th Street/Downtown/Coliseum Exit #190. Proceed straight through the traffic light, you’ll be on 5th Street. Take 5th street toward Brown’s Island and park at your nearest convenience. 

From the South (Option 1):  Take I95 north to the Broad Street Exit #74C. Take the West/Coliseum direction. After a ramp takes you towards the right, you will then merge onto Broad Street. At the 5th traffic light, take a left on 8th Street. Take 8th street to the 5th light and make a right on Byrd Street. Take Byrd Street to the 2nd light and make a left on 5th Street. We recommend obtaining a parking spot at this point.

From the South (Option 2):  Take the Powhite Parkway North. Once through the main 70-cent toll, bear right towards downtown. Take I-195/Downtown Expressway through another 70-cent toll. Take the second exit, which says 2nd and Byrd streets. You are now on Byrd Street. At this point, it is recommended to begin looking for a parking spot.