Kids Fest and Duck Race

Saturday August 8, 2026

11AM-3PM EST

Kids Fest

Since 2013 the Rotary Club of Strongsville's Annual "Kids Fest" event is a free summer community event geared towards children of all ages. Last year, we had about 2,000 people show up for a fun filled day of kids activities including:

  • MetroParks Naturalist Unit

  • Pony Rides

  • Face Painting

  • Inflatables

  • Touch a Truck

  • Food

  • Much more

Duck Race

At approximately 2pm the ducks will be launched, with the finish line at the Camp Cheerful Bridge. Ducks will be available to be sponsored online before the event or at the Kids Fest. The grand prize is $5,000, second place $2,000, 3rd $1,500, 4th $500 and 5th $500.

Sponsor Your Duck Now

Duck Race

At approximately 2pm the ducks will be launched, with the finish line at the Cleveland Metroparks Chalet. Ducks will be available to be sponsored online before the event or at the Kids Fest. The grand prize is $2,000, second place $1,000, 3rd $500, 4th $300 and 5th $200.

Pony Ride Rules

To prevent long lines for the pony ride we are having timed slots for the ponies.

  • A free ticket is required for the pony rides

  • A limited number of tickets are available on a first come first served basis at the main duck sales table and will be valid for a chosen time slot

  • Child must be present and weigh 75lbs or less

Duck Sponsorship

Online duck sponsorships close at 1:45pm, or once 4,400 ducks are reached

$15
$45
$25
$120
$50
$300
$100
$900
$200
$1650
$300
*100% secure & safe payments*

Beneficiaries

And other local charities

SPONSORS

Mighty Duck

Concession Sponsors

Ultimate Quack

Anonymous Donor

Duck-tivity Station Sponsor

Sweet Kiddles

Lucky Duck

Trillium Creek Dermatology

Aircraft Management Group

Pond Partner

Joyce: Windows, Sunrooms & Baths
Strong Smiles Pediatric Dentistry

Knights of Columbus 10792

Raising Cane's

KMD Sales

Kiplinger & Co CPAs

Valley Ford Truck

Aviator

Goldfish Swim School

Strongsville City Club

Feathered Friend

John Turnbull

Laub Family

PSE Credit Union, Inc

Jim Kaminski

Kidsmile Inc

Strongsville Chamber of Commerce

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Directions / Parking

Parking for the Kids Fest and Duck Race will be at the RTA Park-and-Ride lot off of Pearl between the Metroparks and Whitney Road in Strongsville. Free shuttle buses will run from the RTA Park-and-Ride lot including handicap parking spots and handicap accessible buses.

For safety there will be no public parking or vehicles at Camp Cheerful. We have been advised that there is no parking along Valley Parkway through the Metroparks, and the police and park rangers will be patrolling and issuing tickets.

If coming from I-71 take the Pearl Rd Exit 234, and head south on Pearl Rd (right if coming from the north, left if from the south), and the Park-and-Ride will be on the left just over 1 mile away, past Whitney. If you get to the Cleveland Metroparks you have gone too far.

If you are coming from the turnpike, I-80, take the rightmost of the three exit lanes to Rt-42 / Strongsville, the Park-and-Ride is on the exit road before you get to Pearl.