Got questions? We've got answers.
All proceeds from the Steel City Duck Derby benefit the Partners For Quality family of nonprofit agencies.
Everyone who adopts a duck, whether online, from a friend, at a duck event, from the event brochure, or in a sponsoring business, 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 five ducks, your name will be placed next to five different Tag Numbers.
Let’s Tag! A few days prior to The Steel City Duck Derby, volunteers will place numbered tags on the bottom of every duck that will be in the Duck Race - which is 10,000! The tags are waterproof labels beginning with a seven-digit number and ending with a seven-digit number. For Example: 8580001-8590000
Tag numbers are automatically and randomly assigned by the computer. We want to make sure that no duck has an unfair advantage 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 the ducks you have adopted will be in the water.
If all our ducks have not been adopted by race day, it means that a lucky adopter can still adopt up to a designated time prior to the race. Their names will be placed at random into the mix, next to a number that does not already have a name by it. Anyone can adopt ducks before the race begins, as long as the race is not sold out. The closing time to adopt a duck at the event will be announced.
Partners For Quality’s Steel City Duck Derby will take place on Saturday, May 8, 2027, 11 a.m., at Allegheny Commons Park on Pittsburgh’s North Side. A total of 10,000 ducks will be launched at approximately 1 p.m. The first five ducks through the finish line will win some amazing prizes.
The Partners For Quality Foundation will contact you using the information you provided with your duck adoption. You do not need to be present to win.
Rubber ducks, silly!
Anyone! However, you must be at least 18 years old to adopt a duck.
No. After you adopt your duck, The Steel City Duck Derby team will work hard to train, coach, and make sure each duck is ready for the Steel City Duck Derby race. After the race, 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 our family, friendly Duck Derby Festival though!
If all our 10,000 ducks have not been adopted as of May 8, 2027, the remaining ducks will be available for adoption on race day up until 15 minutes prior to the start of the race at an adoption tent set up at the Steel City Duck Derby. Announcements of duck adoptions will be made at the event.
Please contact us by emailing Foundation@PFQ.org or calling 412-446-0702.
Still have questions?
Reach out to the event organizers — we're happy to help!