It’s officially been a decade of ducks for a cause.
The Special Olympics Illinois celebrated 10 years of the annual Windy City Rubber Ducky Derby fundraiser Thursday afternoon. Thousands of spectators flocked to the city's Loop to watch more than 50,000 yellow rubber ducks splash into the Chicago River.
All proceeds from the race benefited Special Olympics Illinois' nearly 22,000 athletes and over 21,000 young athletes across the state.
A single duck adoption cost $5, a 'quack pack' of six ducks cost $25, and a 'mega ducks' donation of $100 gave players 24 ducks. The ultimate honor? A 'decade of ducks donor' package that supplied 240 ducks and in turn gave back to the charity $1,000.
Participants and viewers enjoyed entertainment, face painting, games, and appearances by several sports mascots at the event after the races at the Wrigley Building at 400 N. Michigan Ave.
The derby prizes for the adoptive parent of the fastest ducks included a 2015 Chevy Trax, an all-inclusive Apple Vacation, a NASCAR Sprint Cup package and a Discover Rosemont package.
For more on Special Olympics Illinois events or looking to donate if you couldn't make the Ducky Derby, visit soill.org.
