Duckapalooza is music to your ears
You've no doubt seen a rubber duck float.
But have you seen one ride a bubble or even catch some air? Better yet, have you seen one that could win you a new car?
At about 2:30 p.m. Saturday, thousands of ducks piled on the Festival Park Fountain in Elgin will take a ride when the water is turned on for the 10th annual Elgin Duck Pluck, the centerpiece of Duckapalooza.
Instead of the yellow armada slowly working its way down the Fox River to determine a winner, organizers will have kids randomly pull ducks from the fountain to divvy up the prizes.
"It's really amazing to see the ducks floating up," said Susan Angell-Case, a local real estate agent and volunteer co-chair of the event. "The kids just absolutely love it."
In years past, the ducks would be dumped into the Fox River and race downstream to determine winners.
But organizers suggested the fountain idea last year because heavy rains had the river moving way too fast.
One year, the river was so low it took 90 minutes for the ducks to float down and someone riding a personal water craft had to help create a wake to move the little birdies along.
With the new plan, that variable is gone.
"The problem was we were always at the mercy of the water," said Alan Brostoff, development director for the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin.
Ducks can be "adopted" for $5 each, $25 for a "Quack Pack" of five, or $100 for a flock, and are available up until about 2:15 p.m. Saturday.
But the pluck is not the only highlight of the club's largest yearly fundraiser.
Organizers have booked a variety of bands, including rock, blues, a Led Zeppelin tribute group and a battle of the bands - and added new activities such as a Guitar Hero tournament, Washburn guitar giveaways and more. They'll play in Festival Park, on South Grove Avenue north of the Grand Victoria Casino.
"The whole thing is fun. That's why the volunteers keep coming back each year," Brostoff said. "It's all about the Boys and Girls Club. People come from all over. It's a tradition for some people."
Duckapalooza, which organizers hope draws 7,000 and raises $70,000, kicks off at noon and runs until 10:30 p.m. Admission is free, but you have to pay for food and drinks. Take a lawn chair for added comfort.
For more information, visit www.elginducks.com
The Boys and Girls Club recently opened a new 15,000-square-foot Education and Enrichment Center on Elgin's east side.
The building is seven times the size of the group's former home and includes a gym, learning center, teen center and multipurpose room. Proceeds from Saturday's fundraiser will help support programs there.
Duckapalooza
What: 10th year of the largest fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin
When: Noon to 10:30 p.m., Saturday
Where: Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave., Elgin
Cost: Free admission; ducks, food extra
Info: Check www.elginducks.com or call (847) 608-5017