Community Calendar

Special Olympics Illinois is gearing up for the fifth annual Southern Illinois Ducky Derby Dash at the Du Quoin State Fair on Sunday, Sept. 1. Come out to help us reach our goal of adopting 11,000 rubber ducks.

Race Day kicks off at 1:00 pm with a parade. At 3 pm, the ducks will splash into the lake behind the Expo Hall at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds. Following the duck race, will be entertainment for the entire family – live music, face painting, games, and an appearance by Splash Duck the mascot.

Adopt a rubber duck for $5 for a chance to win one of the Southern Illinois Ducky Derby Dash’s great prizes. Ducks are available for adoption online at www.DuckyDerbyDash.comand every day of the DuQuoin State Fair from Aug. 23 – Sep 1. Join the conversation on social media by using #SIDuckyDerby.

Special Olympics Illinois athlete and 2019 Duck Derby Dash Ambassador, Jacob Dobson will be at the finish line to hold up the winning duck.

2019 Ducky Derby Dash prizes include:

• Grand Prize:$2,000 in CASH. Courtesy of Country Financial.
• 2nd Prize: Three-night all-inclusive trip to Riviera Maya, Mexico for two adults departing from St. Louis.
• 3rd Prize:Stay and play package with a gift basket from Alto Vineyards.
• 4th Prize:Two tickets to the NASCAR Cup Race. Courtesy of Chicagoland Speedway.
• 5th Prize:Shawnee Forest, wine, sleep, zip, horseback ride and eat package.
• 6^thPrize: Handcrafted pub table with gift cards for breweries on Southern Illinois beer trail.

2019 Southern Ducky Derby Dash Sponsors:

• Gold Sponsors:  C and C Pumps& Supply, Country Companies,Heartland Coca Cola, Roland Machinery, and Sam's Club
• Silver Sponsors: Aisin Mfg, Alongi's, Knighthawk Coal, Lamar Signs, Route 51 Brewery, SI Miners and Canadian Wild, St. Nicholas Brewing Company
• Bronze Sponsors: Fenton's Collision and Praxair - Mt. Vernon
• Event Sponsors: The Family of the Late Bill Mathis Sr.
• Media Sponsors: DuQuoin Weekly, River Radio, The Southern Illinoisan, WSIL-TV3

Special Olympics Illinois Region K serves the South Central portion of Illinois with local programming for over 1,600 athletes in Alexander, Clay, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Marion, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Saline, Union, Wabash, Wayne, White and Williamson Counties. Region K offers participation in 16 sports and holds 24 competitions year-round. For more information about the Region K, please visit www.soill.org/RegionK.

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 23,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and over 17,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support. If you are interested in learning more about Special Olympics Illinois, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, contact your local Special Olympics agency, call 800-394-0562 or visit our website at www.soill.org. Follow Special Olympics Illinois on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.