GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (Smokies.LIVE Adventure Center) — Mission accomplished—just in the nick of time.
East Tennessee content creator SteveZ DuckZ, also known as Steve Patterson, has completed an unusual personal challenge by collecting a rubber duck from every U.S. state before celebrating his 50th birthday.
The yearlong adventure began on Aug. 6, 2025—his 49th birthday—with a simple question: Could he collect a duck from all 50 states before turning 50?
The answer turned out to be yes.
Originally from Knoxville and later a longtime Jefferson City resident, Patterson now lives in Greeneville, where supporters from across the country helped make the challenge a reality. His first duck arrived from California in October 2025, and what started as a fun idea quickly grew into a nationwide community effort. Along the way, one of his Facebook and Instagram videos topped 1 million views, helping introduce even more people to his growing collection.
The final piece of the puzzle—a duck from Vermont—arrived on Aug. 1, just five days before his birthday. It wasn’t without drama, however. Patterson said the first package arrived empty.
“I guess the duck flew the coop,” he joked. After the sender contacted Amazon, a replacement duck was shipped and arrived just in time to complete the collection.
Patterson said the challenge became about much more than rubber ducks.
“Everyone was so helpful and supportive,” he said. “People shared the challenge, told friends and helped spread the word. I appreciate everyone who sent a duck and helped make my 50th birthday so special.”
The complete 50-state journey, including videos and unboxings from each state, can be found at SteveZDuckZ.com.
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