Great Rubber Duck Splash

Promote Independence. Provide opportunity. Change lives.

Provide opportunity. Promote Independence. Change lives.

The ducks are coming! Join North Star for our 4^th Annual Great Rubber Duck Splash happening on July 19, 2025 from 9-11 a.m. This fun, family-friendly event will raise funds that will benefit persons with disabilities served by North Star.

What's a Duck Race, you ask?

It’s a way to put the “fun” in FUNdraiser. Adopt a rubber duck for as little as $5 or improve your odds with a multi-duck purchase. On race day all the ducks will be dropped into the lazy river at The Falls Aquatic Center and the first ducks to swim to the finish line will win cash prizes for their “adoptive parents.” First place is $1,000 - Second place is $500 - Third place is $250. As the ducks say, “That’s a lot of bills!”

Sure, there’s the duck race, but there will be several other activities for the ducklings (kids) in your life. Of course there’s swimming, but activities include balloon art, face painting, games and more! Food will be available for purchase including Try Pie and Bri’s Cool Ice!

Come early and join us for our Duck Dash 5K Run/Walk happening nearby at 7:30 a.m. or the Kid's Fun Run which is happening at 8:30 a.m. Register for the races here, with the option to get a cool Duck Dash t-shirt: https://bit.ly/3InU3ZV.

Great Rubber Duck Splash Rules

GREAT RUBBER DUCK SPLASH RULES & REGULATIONS:

1.) The Great Rubber Duck Splash is a fundraising event organized by North Star Community Services, Inc. the “Organizer,” a charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) for the IRS Code. All net event proceeds benefit North Star Community Services.

2.) This event is subject to all federal, state, and local laws and regulations. It is licensed as a “random drawing raffle” by the state of Iowa and use of credit cards as a form of payment is explicitly prohibited by Iowa law as a form of payment. Use of debit card is acceptable.

3.) To enter, eligible entrants must purchase at minimum one raffle chance (“adopt a duck”) at $5 each. Tickets (aka “ducks”) may be purchased in one of three ways:

Online at with DEBIT CARD
In-person at North Star Community Services administration offices located at 3420 University Avenue, Ste. C, Waterloo, Iowa 50701 between 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
In-person at an “adoption event” or through North Star employees or volunteers.

3.) All entries must include payment by cash, personal check, bank/cashier’s check, money order, electronic check, or debit card. Iowa law prohibits the use of credit cards for social and charitable gambling. No refunds will be provided.

4.) A minimum of 3,000 ducks will be entered into the race. Chances of winning depends on the number of qualified entries.

5.) All ducks entered are and shall remain the property of North Star Community Services. Once the ducks are launched, they are on their own. No attempt to free or interfere with any ducks is permitted, unless deemed necessary by the race committee.

6.) The Great Rubber Duck Splash will be held at The Falls Aquatic Center (3025 South Main Street, Cedar Falls, Iowa) on July 19, 2025. The Great Rubber Duck Splash reserves the right to postpone or reschedule the race or to determine the winners through a random drawing in the event of inclement weather, Acts of God, or other unforeseen circumstances beyond the Great Rubber Duck Splash’s control.

7.) The Administrator reserves the right to cancel the Great Rubber Duck Splash or change any element thereof, with or without notice, at any time, for any reason. Should the event be cancelled at any time for any reason, the Administrator reserves the right to select winners in a random drawing from among entries received.

8.) A number shall be affixed on the bottom of each duck called a “tag number.” The individuals associated with the tag numbers on the first ducks collected by the Organizer will be awarded the prizes. Positive identification will be required to claim any prize(s). Awarded prizes not claimed within 15 days following the race completion will be forfeited.

9.) All taxes and fees are the responsibility of the winner.

10.) By entering, the entrants release the Administrator, its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, sponsors and other related entities from any and all liability. By entering, the winner’s consent to the promotional use of their names and likenesses without any additional compensation.

11.) The winner of any prizes must be over 18 years of age and must pay any applicable taxes associated with the prize. If the prize winner is under age 18, a parent or guardian may claim the prize on their behalf. Each person winning over $600 in prizes must provide a valid tax identification number, and 5% state of Iowa taxes will be withheld.

12.) Winner need not be present to win.

13.) Winners will be announced immediately following North Star Community Services’ Great Rubber Duck Splash. Winners will also, where necessary, be notified by telephone, email, and or U.S. mail. If the winner does not claim their prize within 15 days of the race date, or if the Administrator is unable to contact the winner due to insufficient or illegible contact information, or if the winner is deemed ineligible, the Administrator will select a substitute winner by random drawing of entries. All decisions made by North Star Community Services are final.

FAQ

Who does the Great Rubber Duck Splash benefit?

The Great Rubber Duck Splash is a signature fundraising event that benefits North Star Community Services, Inc. and helps in providing persons served with meaningful activities and opportunities that regular funding won’t allow.

How does it work?

Everyone who adopts a duck is entered into what we call the Quack-DB, a database that stores all of the information. Your name and contact info, plus the number of ducks you adopted is entered into the database. Then, the Quack-DB automatically assigns a random number that will correspond to Tag Numbers, which will be applied to each duck prior to race day. Basically, if you adopted 6 ducks, your name will be placed next to 6 randomly assigned Tag Numbers.

Are they real ducks or rubber ducks?

Rubber ducks…..but wouldn’t real ducks by cool (but messy)?!

When and where is the Great Rubber Duck Splash?

The event takes place on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at The Falls Aquatic Center on South Main Street, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The event is from 9 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with the duck race taking place at approximately 10:00 a.m. There will be plenty of family-friendly fun and food for purchase.

How much does it cost?

Lone Duck (1 duck): $5

Six Quack (6 ducks): $25

Quacker’s Dozen (12 ducks): $50

Flock of Ducks (24 ducks): $100

Who can adopt a duck?

Anyone over age 18 may adopt a duck. A parent or guardian may adopt ducks for anyone under age 18 and must claim any prize on their behalf.

How do my ducks get in the water?

Let’s tag! Prior to the Great Rubber Duck Splash volunteers will place numbered tags on the bottom of every duck that will be in the race – which is 3,000! The tags are waterproof labels with numbers beginning with 1001 and corresponding with the number of ducks sold. The ducks begin their race from the bridge crossing the lazy river at The Falls Aquatic Center. The winners will be picked as soon as the first ducks cross the finish line!

What is my tag number?

Tag numbers are automatically and randomly assigned by computer. We want to make sure that no duck has an unfair advantage, so to ensure the integrity of the race, tag numbers are never given out. Rest assured, however, that all the ducks you have adopted will be in the water!

How will I know if my duck wins?

Come to the race! Just kidding. It will be a lot of fun, but actually, you do not have to be present to win. Prizes will be awarded to eligible entrants using the contact information you provided with your duck adoption, and whose entry number corresponds with the number on the first rubber ducks in order of finish. Winners who are not present will be notified by telephone or email with information provided. Winners will also be announced on the website and Facebook.

What happens to all the ducks after the race?

Once the ducks are dropped into the river and race to the finish, they are collected by volunteers and staff to ensure no duck is left behind! Once the ducks are collected, they are dried off and packed up until next year’s race.

Once I adopt a duck, do I get to keep it?

No. After you adopt your duck, the Great Rubber Duck Splash team will work hard to train and coach your ducks to be sure each one is ready for the big race. Unfortunately, after the race they will fly back to North Star to be stored until next year. However, if you'd like to take a rubber duck home, you can purchase a souvenir duck at some Duck Sales Events throughout the summer and on race day.

Is my duck adoption tax-deductible?

Since the Great Rubber Duck Splash is a raffle, and considered to be gambling, your duck adoption is not tax-deductible. And remember that in the state of Iowa it is against the law to purchase duck adoptions using a credit card.

Since I can’t use my credit card to adopt ducks, how may I pay for them?

You may use your debit card! Cash, personal check, money order, bank/cashier’s check are other acceptable forms of payment.

Who should I contact if I have any questions or concerns not answered here?

Contact the Leader of the Quack at North Star Community Services, (319) 236-0901.

How can I sponsor this fun event?

Partner with us and together great things can happen!

There are plenty of great opportunities available to have an impact on persons with disabilities at North Star. Your brand gets exposure - you get the opportunity to showcase your services and increase your visibility, while you make a commitment to make a difference for persons of all abilities. That's a "win-win" for everyone!

Please explore these options and if you don't see what appeals to you, just give Jodie a call at (319) 226-8304 and we will personalize something just for you!

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