Students race rubber ducks for a wish

Bright yellow and orange balloons, games and rubber duck racing took over Dunn Meadow on Sunday. \nAlpha Phi Omega’s 18th annual Rubber Duck Regatta brought Bloomington residents together, providing free family fun for a good cause. The money raised went to a four-year-old Bloomington girl, Alexis, who wished for a trip to Disney World through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, said sophomore Alex Luboff, a chairperson for the event. \nAlphi Phi Omega is a co-ed community service fraternity that hosts many service events throughout the year, and the Rubber Duck Regatta is the big event for the spring, Luboff said.\n“It’s a spring tradition here at IU,” he said. \nLuboff said participants paid a dollar for a rubber duck that was then raced down part of the Jordan River. Many heats were held, and the top ducks in each heat raced at the end of the day for prizes. \n“We wanted to focus on a real community event,” Luboff said. “Our goal was to make the entire event free for everyone.” \nThe event had many activities, including musical chairs, a moon walk, pin the beak on the duck, a dunking tank and beanbag tosses. A magician held one of the largest crowds during the day, and many children were eager to participate in the magician’s tricks. \nAn Alphi Phi Omega pledge or member staffed each activity. Freshman Laura Rundell, a pledge, said about 80 members volunteered their time to the event, including 20 members of other chapters. \n“The games are family-friendly, and there are lots of good prizes,” Rundell said.\nWhile many families enjoyed the afternoon, many IU students showed up to check out the regatta as well. \n“It wasn’t bad weather, and it was for a good cause,” said freshman Emily Harder. “I wanted to enjoy my Sunday with rubber ducks.”