READY, SET, DUCK! COLUMBUS AREA UNITED WAY ANNOUNCES
ANNUAL DUCK RACE KICKOFF
Columbus, Nebraska – Duck, Duck…Duck? The Columbus Area United Way is preparing for their annual Duck Race. Duck Race kickoff will be held on Thursday, June 11th from 5-7 PM at three area locations. The locations selling tickets this year are Big 10 Sports Bar & Grill, Bo’s West, and Cork & Barrel.
There will be 10,000 tickets for sale at $10 each. The top prizes include $10,000, sponsored by Bank of the Valley, Behlen Mfg., Pinnacle Bank, and Toyota and a dream vacation, sponsored by BD and Vishay Intertechnology. There are also eight other top prizes and thirteen lucky ducks that will win $100 in Columbus Bucks.
The co-chairs for the 2026 Duck Race, Cammy Otten and Shae Spitz, have been working hard and are excited for the race this year. Otten said, “The United Way Duck Race is a much-anticipated annual fundraising event in Columbus where you can help make a BIG community impact with the chance to win amazing prizes! A $10 duck ticket could win you $10,000 in cash! The more duck tickets you buy, the better your chances to WIN! Our race kickoff partners, Cork & Barrel, Big 10 & Bo's West, make the night even more fun with special drinks & extra giveaways, so get your ducks on June 11th from 5-7 pm! With 1 in 4 community members impacted by Columbus Area United Way funding, supporting the United Way allows your "giving dollars" to make a BIG impact in lots of lives!”
The annual Duck Race is held in correlation with Columbus Days, and this year will be held on Friday, August 7th, 2026, at the Pawnee Plunge at 11 A.M. Spitz adds, “The best part of the duck race isn’t just the prizes, it is knowing that every ticket helps support youth opportunity, financial security, and the health of our community.”