Skip to content
LOGO - Duck Derby 2024 - WEB

Fast & Furious Rubber Duck Racing!
You
could win $3,000!

SATURDAY, MAY 18th 2024

9:30am Event Opens
11:30 Rubber Duck Racing Begins

Noon-ish our GRAND PRIZE race will run!

Our 2024 Duck Derby is Presented by

What is the duck derby?

The Duck Derby is the museum’s longest running fundraiser (30+ years!) and is so much more than just rubber ducks racing–though the races are really fun and exciting. 

Up to 3,000 numbered rubber ducks will race in heats on our Mueller-built water propelled racetrack. Each duck has a number on it. When you “buy” a duck, you get a duck’s number. On race day, if the duck with your number finishes first during the final race of the day, you win $3,000!

(There’s no limit on the number of ducks you can buy. In fact, the more you buy the better your chances AND the better the deal!)

In addition to the races there’s all sorts of family fun inside and out of the museum. Outside play is free and includes games and activities, bounce houses, music and more. General admission to the museum is only $10 and includes exclusive indoor fun. We typically have foods and drinks available (outside) as well for optional purchase. Taken all together it’s a ridiculously good day to visit your museum!

3rd Place: $500

2nd PLACE: $1,500

GRAND PRIZE: $3,000

BUT YOU GOTTA HAVE DUCKS TO WIN THE BUCKS!
SO….

How do YOU get Rubber Duck Racers into the race? Easy! 

GET DUCKS HERE!

Ducks start at $10. Save when you bundle ducks together!

One Duck = $10

Duck Fam (5 ducks) = $40

Flock o’ Ducks (10) = $75

Quack Pack (20) = $125

Duck Dynasty (40) = $200

The more ducks you have in the race, the greater your chance of winning!
Proceeds directly benefit your Children’s Museum.
You do not need to be present to win.

BACK IN SEASON THIS WEEKEND!

The official adult beverage of Decatur’s Duck Derby!

A 5.5% ABV tangerine Blonde Ale brewed by and served only at

$1 of every pint sold comes directly to Children’s Museum of Illinois!

THIS YEAR OUR DUCK DERBY WILL FEATURE:

Fresh kettle corn and donuts courtesy:

Coffee will be provided by:

Cheese Toasties coming at you from:

KIDS KARAOKE
SCOUTS’ S.T.E.M. TRAILER
CARICATURE ARTIST ED LOZANO
THE MEGA MARBLE BOUNCE HOUSE
CONSTRUCTION TRUCKS
CRAFTS & ACTIVITIES

Museum general admission on May 18th is only $10!
That’s two (duck) bills off! 

Additional ducky goodness is presented inside, including a HIDDEN RUBBER DUCK HUNT where you can trade found rubber ducks for prizes–including two ultra rare Giggles Glitter Ducks!

PIC - Glitter Duck Winner 01A - Web

Rubber ducks hidden and corresponding prizes are while supplies last.

Duck Derby
Duck Derby

LIVE BROADCAST APRIL 25th!

WSOY’s Byers & Co will broadcast LIVE at your Children’s Museum Thursday, April 25th from6-9am! We’ll be joined by special guests sharing museum stories and behind the scenes info, we’ll have some exciting announcements and updates for you, AND we will be giving away some wonderful prize packs each hour (did someone say Coney McKane’s cookies?). How do you win a prize pack? Well…

The primary goal of the broadcast is to promote duck sales for this year’s derby. So as long as you’ve previously purchased ducks OR purchase your ducks during the broadcast, you’ll be in the drawing to win!

EVEN BETTER: from now until the end of the broadcast, any purchase of ducks, a membership to the museum, OR a donation to the museum will bring in DOUBLE the pledge amount (up to $10,000) thanks to a generous matching gift from Dan and Donna Hardy. 

Duck Derby
Duck Derby

LIVE BROADCAST APRIL 25th!

OUR AWESOME 2024 SPONSORS & PARTNERS:

Click logos to visit their sites!
Want to be a 2024 sponsor? Email Rikki!

Logo - Bright - Website Main

Children’s Museum of Illinois

55 S Country Club Rd   Decatur, IL 62521
217-423-5437