2026 Ducky Derby splashes down Thursday in Chicago River for Special Olympics
More than 85,000 rubber ducks will race down the Chicago River on Thursday morning, and for a good cause.
The Ducky Derby is an annual event that raises funds for Special Olympics Illinois, an organization empowering athletes with disabilities. The funds go to support programming that is free of charge to all athletes.
Rubber ducks are available on the Columbus Drive Bridge starting at 10 a.m. One duck is $10, and you can get "quack packs" of 6 ducks or a "ducky dozen" of 12 ducks.
The 2026 Chicago Ducky Derby Ambassador and Special Olympics Illinois athlete, Becky Cavanagh, joined CBS News Chicago ahead of the event to talk about why it's so important to adopt a duck.
"You raise money for Special Olympics athletes, like me," Cavanagh said.
Cavanagh is also a member of the Darling Ducklings, an athlete-led fundraising team that is responsible for about 20% of all duck adoptions in recent years.
Since its start in 2005, the Chicago Ducky Derby has raised over $4.8 million for Special Olympics.
The ducks splash down at 1 p.m. off the bridge, and the top finisher will win a new Chevy Trax.
The festival also features food trucks, vendors and a watch party to view the splashdown.
