Above / When the toy ducks are numbered and/or “dressed up” in creative costumes for the 4th Annual Riverwalk Duck Race, they’ll compete to help raise awareness to let wildlife be wild in sync with nature. Feeding ducks, geese and other waterfowl human snacks is harmful to the animals and to the environment.
UPDATE, July 12, 2019 / When WGN9 came to the Naperville Riverwalk Friday morning, July 12, for a Block Party and Parade along Jackson Avenue, spectators got a preview of some of the entrants in the Creative Costume Contest, the 9AM prelude to the 4th Annual Riverwalk Duck Race that floats off in the DuPage River at 10AM on Wed., Aug. 14.
Original Post, July 10, 2019 / The 4th Annual Riverwalk Duck Race is set to begin at 10AM Wed., Aug. 14, in downtown Naperville, presented by Busey Bank.
Immediately after trumpeteer Pete Ellman plays the call for the race, up to 2,000 numbered plastic ducks will be tossed into the DuPage River from the footbridge that leads to Centennial Park near Centennial Beach. The first five-buck duck to float to the finish at the Eagle Street Bridge will provide the individual with its number a grand prize of $1,981. Second place is $500. Third place is $250.
Why $1,981? That’s the year the Riverwalk was dedicated on Labor Day to commemorate the first 150 years of Naperville, a community established along the DuPage River in 1981 by Captain Joseph Naper.
This year’s Riverwalk Duck Race Chairman John Cuff remembers all the enthusiastic fundraising and dedicated volunteering back in the 1980s when the public/private partnership was started with the City to build the Riverwalk. Now also president of the Naperville Riverwalk Foundation, Cuff aims to promote the importance of caring for the city’s pride and joy. All proceeds will benefit the private Riverwalk Foundation for education about protecting wildlife by not feeding ducks and geese as well as funding enhancements along the winding brick path.
“I’ve really enjoyed watching the families with young children experience our duck race,” said Cuff. “There’s something wonderful about seeing the next generation learn about the Riverwalk and explore the river, seeing it in action as the little plastic ducks float from one bridge to the other.”
Cuff continued, “On another note, I did a little research on the bad points of feeding the ducks. One thing that stuck out to me is ducks eating bread is similar to what junk food is to us—high carb’s. Feeding wildlife creates health problems in the animals and disrupts their natural habitat.”
Ducks for Busey Bank
Busey Bank returns as the presenting sponsor. With Busey Bank’s sponsorship came 10 numbered ducks to enter the race with all the other plastic ducks as well as 10 jumbo ducks for the “Creative Costume Contest.”
Busey’s Senior Banker Mary Jane Leisten, now retired, had the idea three years ago to offer 10 different nonprofit businesses with a duck to vie for the cash winnings with up to 1990 other numbered duckies.
The first three ducks to finish the race will receive cash prizes, $1981, $500 and $250 in that order.
“If one of our ducks wins, everyone wins,” said Leisten.
As in previous years, the nonprofit groups will split the prize winnings, if any, among them.
For 2019, 11 nonprofits are featured by the bank. Every one of nonprofit organizations—Naperville Responds for Veterans, DuPage Children’s Museum, 360 Youth Services, DuPage Pads, NCTV-17, Little Friends, Project HELP, Heart of a Veteran, Loaves & Fishes Community Services, Naperville Area Humane Society and Bridge Communities—will have a duck in the race as well as a jumbo duck in the Creative Costume Contest.
Jumbo Ducky ‘Creative Costume Contest’
An added attraction for 2018 included sponsoring jumbo rubber ducks for $100 each that will be entered into the Creative Costume Contest, a “kids’ choice” competition that will take place on race day near the Eagle Street Bridge. That option returns for 2019.
Some might joke that at the quack of dawn, decorated ducks soon will be put all in a row for a photo shoot at Busey Bank in Naperville Plaza where “Waldo” duck is already hiding.
On race day, at least 20 decorated ducks, depicting a theme, from the 11 nonprofit agencies as well as Busey Bank, Big Frog Custom T-Shirts, Quigley’s Irish Pub, Colbert’s Custom Framing, DHJ&J, The Growing Place, Gary R. Weber Associates (GRWA), Kevin McQuillan and other individuals are set to wing it for bragging rights.
Beginning at 9AM, raffle tickets will be distributed to youngsters so the kids can vote for their favorite decorated jumbo duck all in a row. The duck that ends up with the most ticket votes, wins. The ducks will be on display near the Moser Tower Visitors Center, depending on the weather. Watch for signs with directions. The winner will be announced after the end of the duck race.
Jumbo ducks are still available for $100 each. Personal delivery can be arranged to any Naperville address. Anyone interested is welcome to contact jumboduck@riverwalkduckrace.com before Fri., Aug. 2.
Don’t feed the ducks! Race them!
For more info about the Riverwalk Duck Race featuring up to 2,000 plastic numbered ducks or the Jumbo Duck Creative Costume Contest, visit www.riverwalkduckrace.com. Duck numbers are available for the race online only until 11:59PM Tues., Aug. 13, 2019, or until all 2,000 numbers are sold. The race is rain or shine. And you don’t have to be present to win.
In addition to Busey Bank, 2019 sponsors include Positively Naperville, Colbert’s Custom Framing and Art Printing, Friedrich-Jones Funeral Homes, and Big Frog Custom T-Shirts.
RELATED PN STORY / Riverwalk Duck Race and other fun with Jumbo Decorations
