Jeeps and Rubber Ducks: The Unique Duck Hunt Challenge Returns to Fountain Inn

While the blues music and Southern food take center stage at the upcoming 20th Annual Mac Arnold Cornbread and Collard Greens Blues Festival, a quirky local tradition is revving up for its own milestone. The Duck Hunt Challenge is set to return on Saturday, April 11, as part of the festival’s massive “Jeep Jam” car show.

The challenge has become a signature part of the Fountain Inn festival experience, combining the community’s love for off-road vehicles with a scavenger-hunt-style competition that involves hundreds of rubber ducks.

How the Challenge Works

The Duck Hunt Challenge is centered around the Jeep Jam, where dozens of Jeeps line Main Street from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. In keeping with the national “Duck Duck Jeep” trend—where Jeep owners leave rubber ducks on each other’s vehicles—the Fountain Inn version invites the public to get in on the action.

• The Hunt: Participants are encouraged to bring their own rubber ducks or find hidden ones throughout the festival grounds and the Jeep lineup.

• The Goal: Festival-goers “duck” their favorite vehicles in the show. The Jeep that accumulates the most ducks by the end of the day is often crowned the “Fan Favorite” of the Jeep Jam.

• Special Ducks: Organizers often hide a limited number of specially marked “Golden Ducks” that can be turned in at the Spring Market for prizes from local vendors.

A Landmark Anniversary

This year’s challenge coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Mac Arnold Festival, which honors the legendary bluesman and his “Plate Full of Blues” band. Because of the milestone, this year’s Jeep Jam is expected to be the largest in the city’s history, providing even more “targets” for the Duck Hunt.

“The Duck Hunt Challenge adds that extra layer of family-friendly fun to the day,” said one local business owner. “It gets people walking the entire length of Main Street, checking out the Jeeps, and interacting with the Jeep owners while they enjoy the music.”

More Than Just Ducks

Beyond the hunt, Saturday’s festival offers a full itinerary of entertainment:

• Three Stages of Music: Performances running all afternoon, headlined by Dr. Mac Arnold.

• The Spring Market: Over 60 local makers and artisans selling handcrafted goods.

• Traditional Fare: Multiple booths serving up the festival’s namesake cornbread and collard greens.

Participation Tips

If you are planning to join the Duck Hunt Challenge, local veterans suggest arriving early. The most creative and “tricked-out” Jeeps tend to get ducked quickly, and the supply of rubber ducks at local shops often runs low as the festival approaches.

The event is free to the public, though some specific activities within the festival may have small fees or require separate registration.