In a unique annual spectacle, over 90,000 bright yellow rubber ducks were dropped from a dump truck into the Chicago River on Thursday for the 2026 “Chicago Ducky Derby.” The iconic event brought together thousands of spectators to raise vital funds for Special Olympics Illinois.
The synthetic ducks were dumped into the water from a partially raised bridge, transforming the river into a sea of yellow. The ducks floated downstream for roughly 15 minutes before the winning entries were gathered at the finish line.
