PUT-IN-BAY, Ohio (AP) — The world’s largest rubber duck, affectionately known as Mama Duck, is returning to Ohio this weekend. The inflatable duck, standing over six stories tall, will be on display at Put-in-Bay from Friday through Sunday, near the island’s south-side airport at the intersection of Langram and Meechen roads. This marks Mama Duck’s second appearance in Ohio, following her participation in the Hartville Jeep Fest in May.
Mama Duck measures 61 feet high, 64 feet wide, and 74 feet long. She first debuted in 2014, attracting an audience of more than 250,000 in Los Angeles. Since then, she has made appearances worldwide, including stops in New York, Chicago, and Toronto, to the delight of her fans.
“The world’s largest rubber duck’s mission is to spread happiness and love wherever she goes, and a gentle reminder to enjoy our outdoor spaces wisely, preserving them for many generations to come,” Mama Duck’s organizers said.
Mama Duck is often accompanied by her 10-foot-tall baby duck, Timmy, though he is not expected to join her at Put-in-Bay.
The inflatable duck’s visit is organized by the Perry Group, a nonprofit organization based in Put-in-Bay that supports Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, a National Park Service site commemorating the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
The Perry Group is planning family-friendly games and activities in conjunction with Mama Duck’s visit. Fans can purchase a $10 souvenir duck featuring the phrase “Don’t Give Up The Ship,” a naval battle cry from Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry’s flag during the Battle of Lake Erie.
This summer, Mama Duck has also visited various locations, including stops in Minnesota, an amusement park in Pennsylvania, a motor speedway event in Delaware, a festival in Maryland, a county fair in Washington, and an air show in Virginia. As her organizers say, the world is her bathtub.
