Ducks, ducks, loose: Annual Chicago Ducky Derby benefits Special Olympics Illinois

CHICAGO — Thousands of rubber ducks were dumped into the Chicago River Wednesday afternoon.

The annual Chicago Ducky Derby, which benefits Special Olympics Illinois, got underway Wednesday morning with the Derby Festival in Pioneer Court on North Michigan Avenue.

Crowds lined the river to watch the official splashdown at 1 p.m. A festival followed

The Ducky Derby will raise more than $300,000 for Special Olympics Illinois athletes.

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Ashley Jones, this year’s Special Olympics Illinois Ambassador, plucked the lucky duck and winner from the water.

“I’m so excited,” said Jones, a 13-time Special Olympian with gold medals in gymnastics several years in a row.

Her story is one of many that underscore the importance of Special Olympics to athletes and their families.

“I’ve been able to see her make a lot of friends, grow a lot of leadership skills,” Tatiana Jones, Ashley’s sister, says. “She’s had an opportunity to travel, have fun, participate in a lot of sports, and have once-in-a-lifetime experiences like this.”

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The money raised by the Ducky Derby is enough to support Special Olympics Illinois athletes all year, according to Special Olympics Illinois CEO Pete Beale-DelVicchio

“We have 24,000 athletes across the state of Illinois,” he said. “And we put on over 190 athletic competitions every year.”

The winning duck takes home a brand-new Chevy Trax, and there are also cash prizes for other places.

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