Though less popular than its famous fowl cousin, the duck as a culinary treat will be celebrated at the Brome Lake Duck Festival on Sept. 20, 21, 27 and 28.

If duck isn’t a menu staple for you, food producers of the Eastern Townships will fill tables and hungry stomachs with other local delights like chocolate, wine and cheese. Artisans will also display their goods with ciders aplenty this time of year, the perfect pairing for duck. Exhibitors from all over the province will be in attendance with their gourmet delicacies.

Aside from gastronomic goodies, there will also be kid-friendly activities, such as face painting, a petting zoo and the much-anticipated duck race.

“We dump thousands of plastic ducks into the Mill Pond (where they) go over the waterfalls and swim all the way to the Maple Street Bridge about one kilometre away,” explains Jessica Brown, the festival coordinator. “We have rescuers there who pick up the ducks as they arrive at the net and the first 20 or so win prizes.”

The race takes place on the last day of the festival as a sort of closing ceremony. Rubber ducks are $2 each and the money helps families at Christmas and different children’s events in the area.

The Brome Lake Duck Festival will be held in Knowlton village on Sept. 20, 21, 27 and 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, visit canardenfete.ca.