Naperville Riverwalk Duck Race: More Than $2K Up For Grabs

NAPERVILLE, IL — The DuPage River will soon be overrun with ducks, but not the feathered variety. More than 2,000 plastic ducks will make their way down the river for Naperville's annual Riverwalk Duck Race, which is set for August 15 at 10 a.m. by the Centennial Park pedestrian bridge.

Residents have already begun adopting their ducks in the hopes of winning personal glory — and up to $1,981 in cash.

The ducks will set off from the waters beneath the Centennial Park bridge and then make a mad dash to the Eagle Street bridge. The top honors are as follows:

• Grand Prize: $1,981
• Second Place: $500
• Third Place: $250
• 10 Random Lucky Ducks: $35 each

Spectators are welcome to come cheer on their favorite ducks. If you'd like to adopt a duck of your own, you can put your cash behind one or throw down enough money to adopt an army (yes, it's called an army) of 250 ducks.

If you're relying on sheer mathematical strategy, it helps to know that the more ducks you adopt, the better chance you have of scoring a prize. Here are the different duck configurations you can adopt:

• Single Duck: $5
• Quack Pack: 5 for $20
• Family Flock: 25 for $100
• Duck Battalion: 50 for $175
• Duck Brigade: 100 for $325
• Duck Army: 250 for $750

Click the link to buy your own duck for the Naperville Riverwalk Duck Race. Proceeds benefit the Naperville Riverwalk Foundation. To win, you must be present at the race.

Image credit: Getty Images/Scott Olson / Staff