Above / Preview some of the jumbo rubber duckies now on display at Busey Bank in Naperville Plaza. The ducks are entered into the Jumbo Duck Creative Costume Contest in advance of the Riverwalk Duck Race on Wed., Aug. 14. Busey Bank is open 9AM to 5PM weekdays and 9AM to Noon on Saturday.
The contest attracted 20-plus jumbo ducks in various disguises to compete for votes and bragging rights from 9:15AM to 9:50AM on Wed., Aug. 14, in advance of the 4th Annual Riverwalk Duck Race when up to 2,000 plastic ducks will be released in the DuPage River at 10AM. The Jumbo Duck Exhibit will be set up near the Netzley House Visitors Center, just steps from Moser Tower with its 72-bell Millennium Carillon.
Update with winners! Special thanks to all Riverwalk Duck Race participants!
Duck Race Winners: 1st Place-No. 1386 ($1,981); 2nd Place-No. 593 ($500) and 3rd Place-No. 1379 ($250)
Jumbo Duck Creative Costume Contest Winners for Bragging Rights: 1st Place-St. Patrick’s Residence; 2nd Place-DuPage Children’s Museum; 3rd Place-DHJ&J
Jumbo Duck Race Winner for Bragging: Colbert Custom Framing and Art Printing
Original Post, Aug. 8, 2019 / The 4th Annual Riverwalk Duck Race, presented by Busey Bank and hosted by the Naperville Riverwalk Foundation, is slated to begin at 10AM Wed., Aug. 14, 2019.
Then, rain or shine, plan to come on down to the banks of the DuPage River to watch the release of up to 2,000 plastic ducks from the footbridge near Centennial Park as they begin their float to the Eagle Street Bridge. And listen to the joyful sounds of all ages cheering in hopes that the little plastic numbered ducky that gets to the finish line first belongs to them!
Riverwalk Duck Race Schedule
11:59PM, Aug. 13 – All duck sales end at www.riverwalkduckrace.org.
8:45AM – Jumbo Ducks are welcome to line up for display near the Old Netzley House along the Riverwalk.
9:15AM-9:55AM, Aug. 14 – All ages are welcome to use two (2) free raffle tickets (handed out that day) to help judge the Jumbo Duck Creative Costume Contest featuring 20-plus large rubber duckies decked out in attire representing a theme. Find the table-top display set up outside the Visitors Center in the Old Netzley House along the Riverwalk.
10AM, Aug. 14 – Trumpet Call for little plastic ducks to enter DuPage River.
10:00:10AM, Aug. 14 – Little plastic ducks released from the footbridge (near Centennial Beach) into the DuPage River.
10:00:12AM, Aug. 14 – Jumbo Duck released, depending on water level of DuPage River.
11AM, Aug. 14 – Winners announced near the Eagle Street Bridge.
11:10, Aug. 14 – High tail it toward downtown for lunch and shopping. What a wonderful destination in the heart of Naperville!
Buy a chance to win $1,981 at www.riverwalkduckrace.com
Duck numbers are $5 each, $20 for five, $100 for 25 with other multi-duck packages available, too.
While the Riverwalk Foundation has been in its quiet stage for major fundraising since its campaign to help develop Fredenhagen Park in 2003, the Riverwalk Duck Race was launched in 2016 to begin a fun way to heighten awareness about the needs and care of the Riverwalk as well as to educate visitors about letting wildlife be wild.
Feeding human snacks and bread crumbs to ducks, geese and other waterfowl is harmful to the health of wildlife and to the environment.
In other words, “Don’t feed the ducks. Take a quack and race them.”
Numbers for 2,000 ducks are for sale, online only, until 11:59PM Tues., Aug. 13. You don’t have to be present to win!
All proceeds will benefit the Riverwalk Foundation for education and enhancements along the winding brick paths of the city’s natural treasure in the heart of the central business district.
To take a quack at a chance for the grand prize of $1,981 with a five-buck duck, visit www.riverwalkduckrace.com.
Bonus Duck Tale!
Q: If a duck loses its tail, where does it go to get a new one?
A: An independently-owned retail shop.
Thanks to all friends of the Naperville Riverwalk!
