Got questions? We've got answers.
Let’s Tag! A week prior to the Merryman House PaDucky Derby, volunteers will place numbered tags on the bottom of every duck that will race! The tags are waterproof labels beginning with a 7 digit number and ending with a 7 digit number. For Example: 7458001-7463000
Everyone who adopts a duck, whether online, in the mail or in person is entered into what we call E-Quack, a database that stores all of the information. Next to your name in E-Quack is the number of ducks you have adopted. The tag range is entered into E-Quack and all the numbers are shuffled up. Then, E-Quack automatically assigns the number of ducks you have adopted next to Tag Numbers. Thus, if you adopted 5 ducks, your name will be placed next to 5 different Tag Numbers.
Tag Numbers are automatically and randomly assigned by computer. We want to make sure that no duck is taking steroids and the race is not fixed, so to ensure the integrity of the race, tag numbers are never given out. Rest assured, however, that all of the ducks you have adopted will be in the water.
If all our ducks have not been adopted by Derby Day, it means that a lucky adopter can still adopt up to an hour prior to the Derby. Their names will be placed at random into the mix, next to a number that does not already have a name by it. Anyone 18 or older can adopt until an hour before the race begins, as long as the Derby is not sold out.
All kinds of family fun will start on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. at the pond at Noble Park. The ducks will be dropped into the water and begin their race at 3 p.m. The first duck through the finish line wins the race!
The Merryman House will contact you using the information you provided with your duck adoption. You do not need to be present to win.
Anyone 18 or older!
No. After you adopt your duck, The Merryman House will work hard to train, coach, and make sure each one is ready for Derby Day. After the Derby, all of the ducks will fly off to their next race somewhere in the U.S.
No, the winner does not need to be present to win. We do hope you will join us for the festivities though!
Unfortunately, duck adoptions are not eligible for tax deduction. Please consult with your tax advisor.
No, the Derby is open to the public and is held at Noble Park, Paducah.
If all of our 15,000 ducks have not been adopted as of Friday night, Oct. 24, the remaining ducks will be available for adoption Saturday until one hour prior to the start of the race at a booth set up at Noble Park.
Please contact us by emailing megan@merrymanhouse.org or calling 270-443-6001.
All proceeds from the PaDucky Derby benefit the Merryman House, a 501(c)(3) charity, a nonprofit organization which offers both residential and outreach services to meet the needs of victims of intimate partner abuse and their dependents as they strive to live free of violence. Please visit us at: www.merrymanhouse.org and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/merrymanhouse.paducah.
Still have questions?
Reach out to the event organizers — we're happy to help!