60,000 Rubber Ducks Will Splash into the Chicago River Aug. 8 for Special Olympics Illinois

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Aug 06, 2013, 07:37 ET

Ducks Still Available for Adoption – 1st Prize is a Chevy Malibu

CHICAGO, Aug. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- All eyes will be on the Columbus Drive Bridge over the Chicago River in Chicago at 1 p.m. this Thursday, August 8, when 60,000 yellow rubber ducks pour into the water from a "duck truck" backed up to the edge of the bridge. The 8^th Annual Windy City Rubber Ducky Derby to benefit Special Olympics Illinois enthralls people of all ages who watch the ducks "race" to the finish with a little help from a tugboat's spray of water and a boom in the river.

Ducks are still available for adoption for $5.00 online through 6 p.m. Wednesday at www.duckrace.com/chicago. First prize is a Chevy Malibu. Ducks can also be adopted on race day, August 8, beginning at 7 a.m. at Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River. A Family Festival begins at 10 a.m. in front of the Wrigley Building that features carnival games and prizes, face painting and visits with many of Chicago's sports team mascots as well as the Ducky Derby mascot Splash. Many Special Olympics Illinois athletes are on hand to greet visitors.

"It's fitting that our largest summer fundraiser is taking place in the birthplace of Special Olympics," said Dave Breen, president and CEO of Special Olympics Illinois. "45 years ago last month, the very first Special Olympics competition took place at Soldier Field in Chicago with 1,000 athletes from the U.S. and Canada. Today, there are more than 4.2 million athletes with intellectual disabilities in 170 countries whose lives are being transformed through Special Olympics," Breen said.

Special Olympics Illinois athlete and Ducky Derby Ambassador Katelyn will be at the finish line boat to hold up the winning duck whose adopter will win the Malibu, courtesy of the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers. Other prizes include an Apple Vacation to Cancun, Mexico, a NASCAR prize package from Chicagoland Speedway and a one year membership to the Foundation Room at House of Blues.

The success of the annual Windy City Rubber Ducky Derby depends on the dozens of sales teams – both corporate teams and independent groups – who devote the summer to selling duck adoptions and spreading the word about the benefits of Special Olympics.

SOURCE Special Olympics Illinois