As in rubber ducky.

Hipple had heard about the 18th Annual Chicago Ducky Derby where thousands of rubber ducks floated down the Chicago River each year for a good cause. The Chicago Ducky Derby, scheduled each year in August, is the signature fundraising event that benefits Special Olympics Illinois.

More than 75,000 ducks were adopted for last year’s splashdown, which raised nearly $400,000. Hipple contacted Special Olympic officials in Chicago and got the lowdown on the event and decided to give it a try at Kishacoquillas Park in Lewistown.

Last year’s Duck Derby netted the Special Olympics about $5,000 to $6,000. “All the money stays local, and it goes to our athletes,” said Hipple, who has served as a team leader for about three years and with the Special Olympics for 10 years.

Photo courtesy of SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Last year’s inaugural event was held at one of the pavilions at Kishacoquillas Park in Lewistown because the level of Kish Creek was too high.

Special Olympics Team Mifflin-Juniata will hold its Second Annual Duck Derby on Saturday, July 19, at Kish Park from noon to 5 p.m. Proceeds will again benefit athletes and the program.

This year’s event will have more of a carnival-like atmosphere as there will be games, face painting, rip tickets, baked goods, deejay and food and ice cream trucks.

“This year, we tried to come up with more stuff for the kids to do,” Hipple said of face painting.

The local police and fire departments are also scheduled to make an appearance, along with Smokey Bear, SpongeBob SquarePants, Quackers the Special Olympics duck and possibly McGruff, the Crime Dog. They will also hold a parade of athletes.

The duck race starts at 3 p.m. and will be held rain or shine. Top prizes for the duck race are $300 for first place, $200 for second place and $100 for third place.

Photo courtesy of SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Gordon Beers (crouching), of the Special Olympic coaches, hands off a rubber duck as Special Olympics Team Mifflin-Juniata members Hannah Ripple (from left), Gretchen Wilhelm, Natasha Harper and Brandon Beers look on during last year’s Duck Derby.

“Last year, we had the duck race in May so it was cold and rainy and about 10 people showed up,” Hipple explained. “This year, we’re having carnival games and rip tickets, and a bunch of other stuff going on.”

Last year, organizers also found the waters of Kish Creek weren’t suitable for having the duck race. So they set all of the ducks that were sold on the floor of one of the pavilions and asked the athletes to select them one by one. The last three remaining ducks were declared the winners.

“That’s our backup plan this year if Kish Creek doesn’t cooperate again,” Hipple said.

There will also be drawings for gift baskets and gift cards.

Individual ducks cost $5 or duck pals are two for $10. A quack pack of six ducks is $25, while a quacker’s dozen of 12 ducks is $50 and a flock of 25 ducks is $100. Souvenir ducks, which do not race, are also available for $5.

Photo courtesy of SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Last year’s inaugural event was held at one of the pavilions at Kishacoquillas Park in Lewistown because the level of Kish Creek was too high.

Duck Race winners don’t need to be present to win.

Ducks will be available for sale until 2:30 p.m. on the day of the event or from 6 to 8 p.m. on Fridays at Kish Park as the Special Olympics meets at one of the pavilions. They can also be purchased in advance by calling Hipple at (717) 250-1116.