Who let da ducks out!?!

Only in south Louisiana can someone pay $5 for a rubber duck and possibly win $1000, $500, $250 or $100 in cash prizes.

It’s just one of the things that makes Thibodeauxville such a unique part of the area.

The annual Thibodeauxville Fall Festival is known for its good food, bargain buys and down-home family atmosphere, but since 1992, the highlight of the festival has been the duck races in Bayou Lafource above the Canal Street Bridge.

The bathtub play toy has become a hit among people of all ages, as four lucky participants will walk away with cash.

“It’s become one of the local favorites,” said Rhonda Dempster, chairwoman of the festival. “It seems like everyone looks forward to it.”

Despite having cash prizes, the races are open to all ages.

“We have parents who buy ducks for their kids and themselves,” Dempster explained. “Some people just like coming to watch. It’s fun for everyone.”

The North Lafourche Revitalizing District came up with the duck racing idea when the district ran the Thibodeauxville Festival. It wasn’t until three years later in 1992, when the Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce took over the festival that the race took off in popularity.

It’s been going strong ever since.

This year’s duck race is on Nov. 8 at 4 p.m. A total of 1,500 rubber ducks will be released into the giant bathtub of Bayou Lafourche. The race starts at the weir north of the bridge and ends at the bridge.

Boons are set up to make a funnel-like approach, which helps the ducks coast through the bayou, Dempster said.

The four ducks that cross the finish line first win the cash prizes.

Tickets for the race are available at several local businesses, from committee members or at the Chamber office at 318 East Bayou Road or at their booth at the festival.

Kelly Shipp with the City of Thibodaux and Brian Grubbs with Premium Promotional Products are coordinating this year’s event, and will be in charge of the race.

However, it’s the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office that will be in charge of cleaning up the ducks from Bayou Lafourche once the races are complete.

Who let da ducks out!?!