Thousands of rubber ducks released into Richmond canal help raise $265K for local autism programs

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Thousands of yellow rubber ducks were released into the canal in Richmond on Saturday in an annual event to raise money for local people with autism and their families.

The RVA Duck Race and Festival of Inclusion took place on Saturday, Sept. 6, at Brown's Island in Richmond, where 18,000 rubber ducks raced down the canal, with the owner of the fastest duck winning a $10,000 prize.

Thousands of yellow rubber ducks released into the canal near Brown's Island in Richmond on Saturday, Sept. 6 to raise money to support local autism programs. (Photo courtesy: Jay Page)

(Photo courtesy: Jay Page)

(Photo courtesy: Jay Page)

(Photo courtesy: Jay Page)

(Photo courtesy: Jay Page)

The annual event, which is hosted by the Autism Society of Central Virginia, raised more than $265,000 to support local autism programs.

According to a spokesperson for the event, the festival welcomed more than 6,000 attendees despite the rainy weather, with the crowd having the chance to see Waddles, the new RVA Duck Race mascot.

The event also featured a variety of hands-on activity zones, music performances and Pop-Up Rafting Adventures with RVA Paddlesports -- which was a new highlight of the event this year that gave attendees the chance to experience the James River firsthand.

The RVA Duck Race and Festival of Inclusion held at Brown's Island in Richmond on Saturday, Sept. 6. (Photo courtesy: Jay Page)

(Photo courtesy: Jay Page)

(Photo courtesy: Jay Page)

(Photo courtesy: Jay Page)

(Photo courtesy: Jay Page)

The spokesperson said festival-goers who missed out on purchasing or picking up souvenir ducks or event shirts due to the weather, can stop by the Autism Society of Central Virginia's office, located at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, to pick them up.