Chicago Ducky Derby rubber duck race

Special Olympics Illinois is holding its Chicago Ducky Derby on Thursday, August 6, 2026, sending thousands of yellow rubber ducks into the Chicago River as part of its annual fundraiser. The event includes a festival at Pioneer Court beginning at 10 a.m. and a race splashdown scheduled for 1 p.m., according to event listings from Choose Chicago and the race’s official site. Organizers say proceeds support Special Olympics Illinois programming, and individual duck adoptions start at $10. The winning duck is set to earn its adopter a Chevy Trax, according to the event listings. ### Where does the race happen, and when do the ducks hit the water? Pioneer Court, at 401 North Michigan Avenue, is serving as the main festival site on Thursday, with public activities beginning at 10 a.m., according to Choose Chicago. The race itself is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. when the ducks are dropped into the Chicago River from the Columbus Drive Bridge. Downtown Chicago is the focal point for both the festival and the race viewing. ABC7 Chicago reported that ducks can be purchased at Pioneer Court starting at 10 a.m. until they sell out, while spectators can watch the splashdown along the river as the ducks move toward the finish line. ### How many ducks are expected, and what does a duck adoption cost? More than 85,000 rubber ducks are expected to enter the water this year, according to Special Olympics Illinois materials and local event listings. The official Chicago Ducky Derby site says organizers are aiming for 88,000 duck adoptions. Duck adoptions start at $10, according to Choose Chicago, the official race site and ABC7 Chicago. Each adopted duck is entered into the race, with the corresponding number tied to prize drawings tied to the finish. ### Who benefits from the fundraiser? Special Olympics Illinois is the beneficiary of the Chicago Ducky Derby, which the organization describes as one of its signature fundraising events. The race FAQ says proceeds support programming for more than 24,000 athletes, including traditional athletes, Young Athletes, Peer Partners and Unified Partners. The Special Olympics Illinois website says the derby raises both money and public awareness for the organization’s statewide work. WGN Radio’s event listing described the 2026 race as the 21st anniversary of the Chicago Ducky Derby. ### Who is representing the event this year? Becky Cavanagh is serving as the 2026 Chicago Ducky Derby Athlete Ambassador, according to Special Olympics Illinois and WGN Radio. Special Olympics Illinois said Cavanagh, from Clarendon Hills, has spent more than a decade as an athlete and has helped raise money through the athlete-led Darling Ducklings fundraising team. Pete Beale-DelVecchio, the president and chief executive of Special Olympics Illinois, promoted the event in a WGN Radio appearance published Wednesday. The station said Beale-DelVecchio and Cavanagh discussed the derby ahead of Thursday’s race. ### What can people win, and how can they take part? A Chevy Trax is listed as the grand prize for the winning duck adopter, according to Choose Chicago, ABC7 Chicago and other event pages. Organizers also describe the day as a public festival with food, entertainment and family activities before the race. The official FAQ says a splashdown watch party begins at 11:45 a.m. at The Northman, 233 East Riverwalk. Event pages say spectators do not need to adopt a duck to watch the race, though adoptions remain part of the fundraiser. ### What happens after Thursday’s splashdown? Thursday’s race is expected to run for about 30 minutes after the ducks enter the river, according to event listings. Special Olympics Illinois says the winning duck is pulled from the water on race day, with the athlete ambassador helping lead the ceremony. Event details, adoption information and race-day updates are posted through the Chicago Ducky Derby’s official pages and partner listings. Organizers say the August 6 event remains open to downtown spectators along the river as the fundraiser unfolds.