If you happened to walk by Chicago’s riverfront on Thursday, you may have been shocked to see it turning yellow. Over 90,000 rubber ducks poured into the water as part of the 21st annual Chicago Ducky Derby.
The Aug. 6 race raised money for Special Olympics Illinois. Crowds watched from both sides of the downtown river as numbered ducks floated toward the finish line.
After about 15 minutes, organizers removed the winning duck and runner-up. The entry connected to the fastest duck earned its sponsor a new Chevrolet Trax.
The fundraising total passed $480,000, according to the Associated Press. The official event site showed 91,517 duck adoptions, exceeding its 90,000 goal.
Thousands of rubber ducks poured from a Chicago bridge for a good cause
Embedded media follows. Please allow a moment for it to load.
The Associated Press YouTube livestream captured the race-day action as the rubber ducks entered the Chicago River and formed a large yellow pool below the bridge. A truck released the ducks from one side of the half-raised Columbus Drive Bridge. The ducks spread across the water before floating along the course.
Before the race, a festival at Pioneer Court offered games, entertainment, food trucks, souvenirs and photo opportunities. Spectators also wore duck-themed clothing and posed with large inflatable ducks.
Becky Cavanagh, the 2026 athlete ambassador, held up the winning duck for the crowd. The 21-year-old has competed with Special Olympics Illinois for 13 years in rhythmic gymnastics, swimming and equestrian events.
How the Ducky Derby supports Illinois athletes
A single duck adoption cost $10, while a six-duck Quack Pack cost $30. Organizers said those amounts could provide an athlete’s lunch at a competition or gold medals for a team.
Special Olympics Illinois provides year-round competitive sports, health education and leadership opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Its programs include 18 Olympic-type sports.
The Chicago fundraiser has collected nearly $5 million since it began in 2005, according to WLS-TV, an ABC station in Chicago. For anyone concerned about an environmental impact, the ducks did not remain in the river after the event. The official FAQ says that volunteers and staff collected, washed and packed them for another derby.