Chicago Ducky Derby

A whopping 30,000–100,000 rubber duckies—depending on how many are "adopted" by race day—are poured out of a dump truck at Columbus Drive Bridge and race down the Chicago River at this annual fundraiser benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. You can adopt a single duck for $5, a "Quack Pack" (six ducks) for $25, a "Flock of Ducks" (24 ducks) for $100 or a "Diamond Duck Pack" (240 ducks) for $1,000; if your duck wins the race, you can snag prizes like a new car, a Caribbean cruise and a $2,000 cash prize. Spectating, on the other hand, is free. May the best duck win!