“Rubber ducky, you’re the one.”
These are my chosen inspirational words for my precious little duck at this year’s Rubber Ducky Derby, where only the best ducks are allowed to compete.
I’m only somewhat kidding. The Rubber Ducky Derby really is a rubber duck race, and for the past ten years, spectators have come from far and wide to watch over 50,000 yellow ducks splashing and racing their way down the Chicago River.
The kicker: you can sponsor a duck for $5, and if it wins the race, you can win a brand new 2015 Chevy Trax, an all-inclusive Apple vacation, or whatever other prize best suits you. Not too shabby eh? To be fair, your chances of winning with a single duck are pretty slim, but it’s not all about winning…
The $5 duck donation benefits the Special Olympics of Illinois. In fact, it’s actually their signature annual fundraiser, and it’s a pretty big deal. The proceeds benefit nearly 22,000 athletes and over 21,000 young athletes across Illinois.
I’ll be honest with you, I haven’t heard about this event until this year, though I’m extremely happy to have stumbled across it when I should have been working (Shhhh…). I was surprised to find out that they’re actually celebrating their tenth anniversary, or a Decade of Ducks, this time around.
For the past ten years, Windy City Rubber Ducky Derby has provided family-friendly entertainment in the form of more than just ducks: face painting, games, and appearances by several sports mascots.
Like I said, adoption of a duck is only $5, and it goes towards a great cause. And really, when would you ever do something like this anywhere else?
For those who’d like to get involved in a bigger way, you can purchase a Quack Pack (6 ducks), Flock of Ducks (24 ducks), or the granddaddy of ’em all, the Decade of Ducks Donor package (240 ducks).
To get involved or get more info from the source, you’re gonna want to click right here.
Oh, and…. this. I’m just gonna put this here.
It quacks me up every time!
The Rubber Ducky Derby kicks off at 10 am on Thursday, August 6th at the Wrigley Building (400 N Michigan Ave). The Splashdown begins at 1 pm.
