Deming Great American Duck Race

View on map
UniqueDeming
Dates20–23 August 2026Confirmed listing
Duration4 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forUnusual spectacle, playful rulesFew American festivals build their identity
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryUniqueFestival type
The story

Deming Great American Duck Race in Deming

The Great American Duck Race is Demings signature small-town festival, held every year in late August around Labor Day weekend in this Luna County community. The event centers on live duck races and a companion rubber duck race, alongside a parade, a hot air balloon rally, outhouse races, and a tortilla toss across downtown Deming.

Deming, New Mexico, sits along Interstate 10 in the states southwestern desert, a ranching and farming town that most travelers might otherwise pass through without stopping.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Few American festivals build their identity around racing live ducks down a track, and Deming has turned that odd premise into a genuinely beloved regional institution now in its fifth decade, drawing thousands to a town of roughly 14,000 people

02

The mystery stays covered

The race format is straightforward and unpretentious, owners or sponsors enter ducks that sprint down a short course toward a finish line, but it is paired with a deliberately absurd slate of companion events, including an outhouse race and a tortilla toss, that give the festival a distinctly homegrown, self-aware sense of humor rare among themed festivals

03

The city starts moving

Its persistence across more than 45 years, run largely by community volunteers, has made it a point of civic pride for a part of New Mexico that otherwise sees relatively little tourist attention

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The centerpiece tradition is the timed duck race itself

Water and renewal

Living ritual

in which entrants sprint live ducks down a short fenced track toward a finish line

The sacred route

Living ritual

a format the festival popularized regionally and has run continuously since its founding

The local code

Living ritual

Companion traditions include the tortilla toss

Tradition 5

Living ritual

a distance competition throwing flour tortillas

Tradition 6

Living ritual

and outhouse races

Tradition 7

Living ritual

wheeled outhouse-shaped carts pushed and ridden down a course

Tradition 8

Living ritual

both of which lean into a self-deprecating

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

20–23 August 2026

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Casual, hot-weather clothing: shorts, breathable shirts, a wide-brimmed hat, and comfortable closed-toe shoes for standing on grass and pavement. Late August in Deming is dry desert heat...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map32.27 N, 107.76 WOpen in Google Maps

Deming, NM

Nearest airportELP — El Paso
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Deming via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Deming, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for August.Compare faresFestival gearCasual, hot-weather clothing: shorts, breathable shirts, a wide-brimmed hat, and comfortable closed-toe shoes for standing on grass and pavement. Late August in Deming is dry desert heat, often in the 90s Fahrenheit during the day, cooling off in the evening.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Deming Great American Duck Race?

Deming Great American Duck Race is listed for 20–23 August 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Deming Great American Duck Race take place?

The festival is listed in Deming, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

4 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Deming, NM

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLdemingduckrace.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates20–23 August 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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