Shelby, Ohio (March 22, 2026) – Mark your calendars because Hudson’s Duck Drop is back for its 4th annual event on July 25, 2026! Once again, we’ll be dropping 1,000+ rubber ducks from Shelby’s iconic Main Street Bridge into the Black Fork Mohican River—where they'll race to glory (and the finish line) at the Parrot Head Pub patio.
This event started as a way for our family to honor the memory of Hudson Curren, and thanks to the incredible support from our community, it’s continued to grow in awareness across the country. Last year, we had 1100 ducks racing, and raised an amazing $18,500 for Ronald McDonald House Charities in Ohio. Our goal for 2026? Well, let's just say we plan to make it even bigger and better than ever before. Can we break 1,100 ducks this year? Only YOU can help make that happen!
But that’s not all—we’re also looking for sponsors!
Hudson’s Duck Drop isn’t just about watching rubber ducks race (although that’s a pretty fun part!). It’s about bringing awareness to the mission of Ronald McDonald House, which provides essential services, removes barriers to care, strengthens families, and promotes healing when children need healthcare. This year, we’re on the lookout for sponsors who want to be a part of this amazing event and help us continue to grow it. Whether you’re a local business or an individual who wants to make a big splash (pun intended), your support will go a long way in making this event a success in helping us with advertising and operational costs.
Silent Auction Donations Wanted!
Got something awesome you’d like to donate to our silent auction? We’re looking for fun, quirky, or downright fabulous items to auction off to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities. Whether it's a gift certificate to your favorite local restaurant, a collectible, or something one-of-a-kind, we’d love to have it.
What to Expect at Hudson’s Duck Drop 2026
*Hudson’s Duck Drop: Over 1,000 rubber ducks, each numbered and adopted by people around the WORLD, will race to the finish line at the Parrot Head Pub. Who will adopt the winning duck? Will it be YOU?
*Family Fun: Live music, food trucks, games, and activities for the kiddos. And yes, there will be prizes, because we all love a little competition.
*Safety First: We’re committed to keeping things safe for our people and our environment, with volunteers guiding the ducks and a safety net to catch any stragglers.
Hudson’s family, especially his parents Charlie and Kate, continue to be incredibly grateful for the support they’ve received through Ronald McDonald House Charities, and it’s their mission to pay it forward. Their family has spent over 120 nights at the Ronald McDonald House during their sons’ medical treatments, and they know firsthand how important it is to keep families close to the care their children need.
“We’re so excited to see this event grow every year,” said Kate Curren. “It means so much to us to have Hudson’s memory live on through this fundraiser, and to know that we’re making a difference for other families. In just 3 years our celebration of Hudson's life has grown to raise more than $35k for Ronald McDonald House Charities."
“I think we’ve helped a lot of people understand that even though the Ronald McDonald House is in Columbus, the funds we donate benefit families across the whole state," said Charlie Curren. “It’s the families who don’t live in Columbus, but the ones in Shelby, Mansfield, Madison, Ashland - all over the state, who need to travel for their children's medical needs.”
So, what do you say—let’s quack it up for a good cause again! Whether you want to adopt a duck, volunteer to help, or simply join the fun, we can’t wait to see you there.
For more information on sponsorships, donations, or just to stay updated, head to our website or give us a follow on social media. We’ll be dropping details like ducks off a bridge.
Together, we can continue to make a difference in memory of Hudson and help support Ronald McDonald House Charities. We’ll see you on July 25th for the 4th Annual Hudson’s Duck Drop. It’s going to be one for the books!
Let’s get those ducks in a row and make Hudson proud!
About Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio
The Ronald McDonald House in Columbus, Ohio, is located right across the street from Nationwide Children’s Hospital and provides families with a comfortable place to stay while their children are undergoing treatment. Open 365 days a year, it’s a lifeline for families who need to be close to their children during some of the most difficult times of their lives.