60,000 Rubber Ducks Will Splash into the Chicago River August 7 For Special Olympics Illinois

CHICAGO, Aug. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 60,000 rubber duckies will drop off the Columbus Bridge into the Chicago River on August 7, 2014 at 1 p.m.!  The 9^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.

Ducks are still available for adoption for $5.00 online until the morning of August 7 at www.duckrace.com/chicago. Ducks can also be adopted on race day 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, the Radio Disney Chicago Road Crew as well as the Ducky Derby mascot Splash. Many Special Olympics Illinois athletes are on hand to greet visitors. Grand prize is a Brand New 2014 Chevy Equinox.

Special Olympics Illinois athlete, global messenger and Ducky Derby Ambassador Ela will be at the finish line boat to hold up the winning duck whose adopter will win the Equinox, courtesy of the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers. Other prizes include an all-inclusive Apple Vacation to Cancun, Mexico, a Chicago Sports Package that includes NASCAR passes, Bulls tickets and more, and a Chicago Getaway Package for two. Join the conversation using #chiduckyderby on social media.

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.

Special Olympics Illinois offers year-round training and competition in 19 sports for nearly 21,500 Traditional Athletes with intellectual disabilities and more than 18,500 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. 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 by calling 800-394-0562 or visit our website at www.soill.org.

SOURCE Special Olympics Illinois