Great River Ducky Derby 2025
Raising funds for accessible and inclusive music education in our community
Saturday, August 30, 2025 – Credit Island Park – 6:30pm
The Great River Ducky Derby returns for its second year!
It’s a rat race… No! It’s actually a Duck Race. A Rubber Ducky Derby to be exact! Help Common Chord celebrate its 21st year by adopting a duck (or 3 or 7 or more!) for a chance to win top prizes of $1,000 cash, $500 cash, or a year of free Redstone Room concerts for two!
Proceeds from the Ducky Derby support Common Chord’s music education programs, providing inclusive and accessible music education and enrichment experiences to kids all over the Quad Cities.
Don’t forget to join us for the big race on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 6:30pm at Davenport’s Credit Island Park. Watch your duck compete by floating to the finish line fastest! Then stick around for an awesome concert in the park from “Steely Dane”, a Steely Dan tribute band.
Special thanks to our partners at Living Lands and Waters for their assistance in corralling the ducks to ensure the cleanliness of our river!
NEW THIS YEAR: TEAM COMPETITIONS!
Gather your coworkers or compatriots and sign up as a business/organization team! Each individual registration can list your team. The team with the most duck adoptions by August 29 at 5pm wins!
Team prize: Free party in the Redstone Room for your business/organization with live music included!
How It Works
1. Adopt your ducks online or at any in-person event this summer (Live At 5, Music at the Market, and more!)
2. Within 2-3 days after your adoption, you will receive an email with your duck number(s) and more information about the event.
3. On August 30th at 6:30pm, cheer on your ducks as they race down the Mississippi at Credit Island!
4. Winners will be announced at the race and online. Winners will also be notified by phone or email within two days.
PRIZES
1st Place: $1,000 cash prize
2nd Place: $500 cash prize
3rd Place: 1 year of free Redstone Room admission for two
*See below for Official Rules*
Take Home a Souvenir Duck!
$5 along with any adoption
As a keepsake item from the inaugural Great River Ducky Derby, two souvenir ducks are available!
Jimi Hendrake and Quacky G are available at any in-person adoption events, including Music at the Freight House Farmer’s Market (Saturdays 10am-1pm and Sundays 11am-1pm) and Live At 5 free concert series in the Skybridge Courtyard (Fridays 5pm-7pm). *Only available along with an adoption.
FAQs
What time will the winners be picked?
The ducks begin their race at 6:30 PM from the Credit Island boat ramp. Winners will be announced once the first three ducks cross the finish line and are verified. Then stick around for the Steely Dan tribute concert starting at 7pm for music, food, and fun!
Are there Great River Ducky Derby souvenir ducks for sale?
Yes, you can purchase a souvenir duck for $5 along with the adoption of any duck(s).
Can I adopt a duck for my child?
Due to state regulations, duck adoptions must be made in the name of an adult, age 18 or older.
Are they real ducks or rubber ducks?
Rubber ducks!
What happens to all the ducks after the race?
Thanks to the assistance of our partners at Living Lands and Waters, we’re ensuring there will be no negative impact on our beautiful Mississippi River. The ducks are ALL removed from the water by volunteers and staff, stored, and reused annually.
Once I adopt a duck, do I get to keep it?
No, you don’t get to keep the race duck that you purchased for the race. If you’d like to take a rubber duck home, you can purchase a souvenir duck at an in-person event.
How will I know if my duck wins? Do I need to be present to win?
No, you can win from home! We will contact you if you have one of the top prizes.
Is there an admission fee for the Duck Derby?
The Ducky Derby is free! However, to enter the Derby you must adopt duck(s) for the fees listed above.
Can I adopt ducks on race day?
Yes! Adoptions will be available at the race location only, until 6:00pm August 30th. Online adoptions end at 5:00pm August 29th.
Official Rules: