Frequently Asked Questions
How does it work?
Everyone who adopts a duck, whether online or in the mail is entered into what we call E-Quack, a database that stores all of the information. Next to your name in E-Quack is the number of ducks you have adopted. The tag range is entered into E-Quack and all the numbers are shuffled up. Then, E-Quack automatically assigns the number of ducks you have adopted next to Tag Numbers. Thus, if you adopted 5 ducks, your name will be placed next to 5 different Tag Numbers.
How do my ducks get in the water?
Let’s Tag! A few days prior to the Epworth Duck Derby, volunteers will place numbered tags on the bottom of every duck that will be in the Duck Race - which is 5,000! The tags are waterproof labels beginning with a 7 digit number and ending with a 7 digit number.
For Example: 8580001-8590000
What is my tag number?
Tag numbers are automatically and randomly assigned by computer. We want to make sure that no duck has an unfair advantage and the race is not fixed, so to ensure the integrity of the race, tag numbers are never given out. Rest assured, however, that all the ducks you have adopted will be in the water.
What if you have 4,000 Adopted Ducks but you have 5,000 Tagged Ducks on Duck Race Day?
If all our ducks have not been adopted by race day, it means that a lucky adopter can still adopt up to an hour prior to the race. Anyone can adopt until an hour before the race begins, as long as the race is not sold out. If all ducks have not been sold by race time, only ducks that have been sold will race.
How will I know if my duck wins?
Epworth Children and Family Services will contact you using the information you provided with your duck adoption. You do not need to be present to win.
Are they real ducks or rubber ducks?
Rubber ducks.
Who can adopt a duck?
Anyone!
Once I adopt a duck, do I get to keep it?
No. After you adopt your duck, the Epworth Duck Derby team will work hard to train, coach, and make sure each one is ready for Duck Race day. After the race, all of the ducks will go off to their next race somewhere in the US.
Do I need to be present to win?
No, the winner does not need to be present to win.
Can I adopt ducks on race day?
If all our 5,000 ducks have not been adopted, ducks will be available for adoption on race day until one hour prior to the start of the race online.
How do I contact someone at Epworth Duck Derby if I have questions that are not answered here?
Please contact us by emailing cidixon@epworth.org.