DU QUOIN -- 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 p.m. with a parade. At 3 p.m., the ducks will splash into the lake behind the Expo Hall at the Du Quoin 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.com and every day of the Du Quoin State Fair from Aug. 22 -- Sept. 1. Join the conversation on social media by using #SIDuckyDerby.
Special Olympics Illinois athlete and 2019 Duck Derby Dash Ambassador, Jacob Dobson, from Saline County, will be at the finish line Sunday to hold up the winning duck.
Jacob, who is 23, has been involved in Special Olympics since he was 5. He started with track & field, bocce, and bowling. While attending Brownsville School, Jacob played on the school's volleyball and basketball team. He graduated Brownsville School and is now competing with the Saline County Superstars Young Adult team.
Through Special Olympics, Jacob has learned that great sportsmanship is more important than winning. In his free time, Jacob supports local school sports and attends local ballgames. He will always be an advocate for good sportsmanship. Jacob has made an effort to pass on that mindset to everyone he meets.
This will be Jacob's third year involved in the Southern Illinois Duck Derby. He loves setting up his sales booth at the local Walmart and engaging with customers to explain the Duck Derby Dash and Special Olympics.
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 Vineyard
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
6th Prize: 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.
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.
