Duckling Derby to raise money for Special Olympics Michigan
The Chippewa River will be overflowing with hundreds of yellow rubber ducks this weekend.
More than 440 rubber ducks have already been sold for the upcoming Duckling Derby event, where rubber ducks are sold and raced to raise money for Michigan’s Special Olympics.
The derby is being hosted by five students from Timothy Otteman’s RPL 430: Planning Recreation Programs and Events class. The event will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday on the Chippewa River at Island Park. The group hopes to sell about 500 ducks and agreed they are confident they will be able to do so.
"The idea came from the other group members in my RPL 430 class,” said Shawn Knight, one of the five students organizing the event. “The event is a great idea. It gives people an opportunity to contribute. You don’t have to be present to win either but can still give to the cause by buying a duck.”
Three cash prizes will be given away to the winners, as well as prizes for best duck-decorating contest, last place duck and a raffle. T-shirts from the CMU bookstore, gift certificates to Lil' Chef, Hall of Heroes and Applebee's will also be given away.
Livonia sophomore Jessica Webb is excited for the race and the cash prizes.
“It gives people the opportunity to give to a good cause by buying their ducks and sending them down the river,” Webb said.
