FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 30, 2022
(DECATUR, Illinois) – Rikki Parker sees ducks everywhere she looks.
“Our office is full of them,” says Parker, the new Executive Director of Children’s Museum of Illinois. “Everywhere you turn, there’s a duck. Big ones, little ones, multi-colored ones. All over!”
The ducks are part of the annual Duck Derby coming to the museum Saturday, September 24th from 10:00am to 2:00pm. The long-running family event is presented by Jerger Pediatric Dentistry and directly benefits the non-profit Children’s Museum.
The derby will see up to 5,000 numbered rubber ducks race in heats throughout the day down a water-propelled racetrack. The day’s winning duck takes home a $3,000 grand prize.
This will be Parker’s first Duck Derby. With the fresh face comes a refresh of the event itself, including a brand new track built by Mueller Water Products. The new track will include interactive elements for kids and a recirculation system so water is reused race to race.
“The entire event revolves around the racetrack,” says Parker. “Bringing the water experts at Mueller on board means the race experience itself will be better than ever.”
The event outside the museum features food trucks, a collection of big service trucks to explore, animal pals from Scovill Zoo, games, activities and more. Inside will be a museum-wide rubber duck hunt where kids can trade found ducks for prizes.
“Hence all the office ducks,” says Parker.
Guests can enjoy a dollar off general admission to the museum all day long, 9:30am – 4:30pm.
Additionally, three “Lucky Ducks” worth $200 will be drawn weekly on WSOY’s Byers & Company beginning Tuesday, September 6th. Winners will be drawn from all currently purchased ducks. Winning Lucky Ducks are still eligible to win at the races.
Numbered rubber ducks are available to purchase starting at $10 a piece. Duck packages offer deep discounts and greater odds of winning. Ducks and event details are available at CMofIL.org, the museum itself (55 S Country Club Rd), or by calling 217-423-5437.
For more information, please contact Isaac Cothern at 217-423-5437
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