One Duck, Two Ducks; Blue Duck, Pink Duck

Seeing ducks near the Riverwalk is not unusual for Naperville residents. But pink, yellow and blue ducks are just a bit out of the norm.

Hundreds of people gathered along a quarter mile course from Rotary Hill to Eagle Street Bridge on Saturday afternoon to watch thousands of plastic ducks race in the DuPage River.

The ducks were dumped into the river for the 22^nd annual Naperville Duck Race fundraiser. Individuals bought ducks prior to the race for a chance to win the grand prize of $250. The fundraiser supports Camp Fire USA Illinois Prairie Council's REACH (Responsible Educated Adolescents Can Help) program.

Many children watched as the 1,500 ducks fell like a waterfall into the river from the bridge west of Centennial Beach.

Tiffany Smolik, 11, of Naperville was one of the children who enjoyed watching the dump. But, her favorite part of the day was running along the course after the ducks. Smolik, along with other kids and families, hustled down the Riverwalk to keep up with the ducks.

“It’s fun,” Smolik said. “I had to run to catch up with them.”

Alan Wood recently moved to Naperville from Texas with his wife Jackie and two sons. Wood was on his morning jog on Saturday when he saw a sign for the duck race.

While the Wood's have never attended a duck race, they thought the idea sounded fun for their sons, 4 and 2.

“They were so excited,” Wood said. “Our oldest was jumping up and down. He’s got his ticket and is ready to go.”

The Wood’s didn’t end up taking home the grand prize. Debra Flores of Naperville purchased the winning duck. A second place prize of $100 went to William Cram of Naperville.

Although they didn’t win, the Wood’s said both they and their children enjoyed watching the ducks float in the river.

The High family, of Naperville, was waiting under the pavilion west of Eagle Street to hear if any of their ducks won gift certificates, which were being given out to other top finishers. Their son Jacob, 2, and daughter Libby, 5, said they already felt like winners; both were allowed to take home one of the ducks from the race.

“I got a duck!” screamed Jacob High with giggles in between each word.

Stephanie Schiszik, CEO of the Illinois Prairie Council of Camp Fire USA, said she was glad to bring smiles to onlookers of the race.

The Naperville Duck Race provides at least 50 percent of the funding for REACH, Schiszik said. The program allows middle and high school students to educate younger students about the choices they have to be drug and alcohol free through a number of activities.

“We’re just hoping we can raise some money and have some fun at the same time,” Schiszik said. “You see 1,500 ducks racing down the river and you can’t help but giggle. It’s one of those simple pleasures in life.”