Frequently Asked Questions
Who does The Steel City Duck Derby benefit?
All proceeds from The Steel City Duck Derby will benefit the Partners For Quality family of agencies.
How does it work?
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.
How do my ducks get in the water?
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
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 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.
What if you have 9,500 Adopted Ducks but you have 10,000 Tagged Ducks on Duck Race Day?
If all our ducks have not been adopted by race day, it means that a lucky adopter can still adopt up to an hour 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 until 30 minutes before the race begins, as long as the race is not sold out.
When and where is the Steel City Duck Derby and what does it cost?
Partners For Quality’s Steel City Duck Derby will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, 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.
How will I know if my duck wins?
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.
Are they real ducks or rubber ducks?
Rubber ducks, silly!
Who can adopt a duck?
Anyone! However, you must be at least 18 years old to adopt a duck.
Once I adopt a duck, do I get to keep it?
No. After you adopt your duck, The Steel City Duck Derby team will work hard to train, coach, and make sure each one is ready for Duck Race day. After the race, all of the ducks will fly off to their next race somewhere in the U.S.
Do I need to be present to win?
No, the winner does not need to be present to win. We do hope you will join us for our family friendly festivities though!
Can I adopt ducks on race day
If all our 10,000 ducks have not been adopted as of April 25, 2025, the remaining ducks will be available for adoption on race day until 30 minutes prior to the start of the race at an adoption booth set up during the Steel City Duck Derby.
How do I contact someone at The Steel City Duck Derby if I have questions that are not answered here?
Please contact us by emailing foundation@PFQ.org or calling 412-446-0702.