A sea of yellow rubber ducks floated in the Chicago River as the 14th annual Ducky Derby kicked off its annual fundraising event for the Illinois Special Olympics, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
According to the event's website, 61,133 rubber ducks were poured into the river at the Wabash Bridge. Last year's derby raised more than $425,000 for the Special Olympics.
Competitors buy ducks at $5 apiece or up to $1,000 for 240, CNN reported. The first duck to finish the derby -- and its donor -- are declared the winner, according to the Sun-Times.
Joanna Merkle, 58, said her "team" of contributors donated "probably 250 ducks"
“We really enjoy the cause,” Merkle told the newspaper. “And with everybody dancing, singing and just coming out — it’s beautiful.”
The winning duck crossed the line 15 minutes after the event began. Event officials said they will announce the official winner on the Derby website. According to the website, winners will receive a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox, $2,500, a vacation to the Riviera Maya, a Chicago weekend getaway or NASCAR tickets.
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