60,000 Rubber Ducks Will Splash into the Chicago River August 4 for Special Olympics Illinois

Ducks Still Available for Adoption - Grand Prize is a New 2016 Chevy Malibu

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Aug 02, 2016, 10:07 ET

CHICAGO, Aug. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 60,000 rubber duckies will drop off the Columbus Bridge into the Chicago River at 1 p.m. August 4, 2016! The 11^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 line. Join the conversation using #ChiDuckyDerby on social media.

60,000 rubber ducks will splash into the Chicago River on August 4. The Windy City Rubber Ducky Derby benefits over 22,000 athletes who compete in Special Olympics Illinois.

Ducks are still available for adoption for $5 online until August 4 at www.chicagoduckrace.com and can also be adopted on race day, August 4, beginning at 7 a.m. at 400 N. Michigan Avenue. The Family Festival begins at 10 a.m. in front of the Wrigley Building and features carnival games, prizes, face painting and the Ducky Derby mascot Splash. Many Special Olympics Illinois athletes will be on hand to greet visitors. Grand prize is a brand new 2016 Chevy Malibu.

Special Olympics Illinois athlete, Global Messenger and Duck Ambassador Allie will be at the finish line to hold up the winning duck. The Chevy Malibu is courtesy of the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers. Other prizes include an all-inclusive Apple Vacation to Cancun, Mexico, a NASCAR package, a Chicago Family Pack and a Rosemont Getaway Package.

Last year's event saw more than 57,000 ducks adopted and raised more than $400,000 for Special Olympics Illinois.

The success of the annual Ducky Derby depends on over a hundred 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.

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for more than 22,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and more than 20,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics transforms lives by empowering people with intellectual disabilities to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support. If you are interested in learning more about Special Olympics Illinois, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, contact your local Special Olympics agency, visit our website at www.soill.org.

On race day, all media contacts should check in at the social station.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160801/394789

SOURCE Special Olympics Illinois