What is the Southern Illinois Ducky Derby Dash? The Southern Illinois Ducky Derby Dash at the Du Quoin State Fair is a signature fundraising event for Special Olympics Illinois. On September 2, 2018 thousands of spectators will watch 8,000+ Ducks splash into the lake behind the Exhibition Hall on the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds and race towards the finish line.

Race Day kicks off at 1:00pm with a parade! The ducks race at 3:00pm, followed by entertainment for the entire family – live music, face painting, games, and an appearance by Splash, the Duck.

How do I adopt a duck? You can Adopt a duck for only $5. Get more chances to win by purchasing a Quack Pack (6 ducks for $25), Flock of Ducks (24 ducks for $100) or Ducky Derby Donor (60 ducks for $250)!

*Are you adopting a duck on behalf of a friend, co-worker or family member affiliated with a Sales Team? If so, be sure to select the team you want to get credit for your adoption. Click on a team member name to give credit to a specific person.

What if my duck wins? You could be the winner of one of our great prizes!

How do I get involved? Sales teams are forming now. Put together a group of friends, colleagues or family members to join the fun. Teams compete for bragging rights and great prizes. To form a Sales Team click here. For more information on starting a team or to volunteer, contact Jackie Flechs at jflechs@soill.org - phone: 618-383-4526 or Rhonda Knight at rknight@soill.org - phone 618-383-4400


Prizes

  • $2,000 Cash
    $2,000 Cash
    $2,000 Cash courtesy of Country Financial
  • All-Inclusive Vacation to Riviera Maya
    All-Inclusive Vacation to Riviera Maya
    Three night all-inclusive trip to Riu Playacar in Riviera Maya, Mexico for two adults departing from St. Louis. Winner must be at least 21 years old or traveling with a legal guardian. Courtesy of Apple Vacations, America's Favorite Vacation Company and Riu Hotels and Resorts.
  • Party Set!
    Party Set!
    Your house will be the place to be with a brand new handcrafted wooden Pub Table Top with four chairs, a Coca-Cola umbrella for the table, a grill, handcrafted side by side wooden chairs with cushions and a cornhole set!
  • NASCAR Tickets
    NASCAR Tickets
    Two tickets to the NASCAR Cup Race
Meet Sheridan - Our 2018 Ducky Derby Dash Ambassador!
Sheridan Kevonne Coleman, 16, is from Carbondale and a junior at Carbondale Community High School. She has been a Special Olympic Athlete for five years. Sheridan loves her teammates of the SI Lightning Bugs and competes in Basketball, Track and Field, Softball, Bowling and Bocce Ball. When not with her friends, she enjoys music, dancing, adult coloring books, eating healthy and hanging out with her cousins. She is the daughter of Zenetta McDaniel Coleman and granddaughter of Milton and Corene McDaniel, all of Carbondale.