Official Rules

Entry & Prizes

• The cost to enter this contest is $5.00 per duck.
• A family of 5 ducks may be entered for $20.00.
• Prizes are as follows:
  1st Place: $100
  2nd Place: $75
  3rd Place: $50
  4th Place: $25

Registration & Check-In

• Ducks may be adopted before the race at Jo’s Corner Florist, 313 N. Columbia Street, Union City, Indiana, or from any State Line Heritage Days Committee member.
• Each duck entry must include the participant’s name, telephone number, address, number of ducks adopted, amount paid, and assigned duck number or numbers.
• Duck adoptions must be completed before the start of the race.
• Late entries will not be accepted once the race has started.

Eligibility

• Each duck entered in the race must be officially adopted and assigned a duck number.
• Each adopted duck will be entered into the race one time.
• Participants may adopt one duck or multiple ducks.
• All entries are subject to the State Line Heritage Days Committee General Rules and Regulations and the Ducky Derby Rules.

Contest Format

• The race will take place in the Little Mississinewa River.
• Official race ducks will be released into the water at the designated starting point.
• Ducks will race along the designated course toward the finish line.
• Winners will be determined by the order in which the ducks cross the finish line.
• Participants do not physically race with the ducks.
• The contest will be canceled if fewer than ten ducks are registered and present at the time of the contest.

Contest-Specific Rules

• Only official Ducky Derby ducks assigned by State Line Heritage Days may be entered in the race.
• Each duck must have an assigned number that matches the participant’s entry form.
• Participants may not provide their own ducks.
• Participants may not alter, mark, weigh down, decorate, or otherwise modify any race duck.
• Participants may not touch, move, guide, or interfere with any duck during the race.
• If a duck becomes stuck, leaves the course, or is otherwise delayed, contest officials will determine how to handle the duck.
• State Line Heritage Days officials will manage the release, racecourse, finish line, and collection of ducks.

Judging & Winner Determination

• The 1st place winner will be the eligible duck that crosses the finish line first.
• Additional winners will be determined by the next eligible ducks to cross the finish line.
• Winners will be matched to the participant listed on the official entry form for that duck number.
• Contest officials’ decisions are final.
• Contest officials may disqualify any duck or entry that does not follow the rules.

Safety & Conduct

• Participants and spectators must remain in designated viewing areas.
• No one may enter the river or race area unless authorized by contest officials.
• Participants must follow all instructions from State Line Heritage Days officials and volunteers.
• Unsafe behavior or interference with the race may result in disqualification.
• Participants are expected to behave respectfully toward officials, volunteers, spectators, and other participants.

Disqualification

• Entering a duck that was not officially adopted through State Line Heritage Days.
• Altering, marking, decorating, weighing down, or modifying a race duck.
• Touching, moving, guiding, or interfering with any duck during the race.
• Entering the river or race area without permission.
• Tampering with duck numbers, entry forms, race materials, or judging materials.
• Unsafe, unsportsmanlike, or disrespectful behavior.
• Failure to follow instructions from contest officials.

General Rules

• All entries are subject to the State Line Heritage Days Committee General Rules and Regulations.
• State Line Heritage Days reserves the right to clarify rules, adjust procedures, or make final decisions as needed for safety, fairness, or event operations.
• Contest officials have final authority during the event.