Hundreds of them!
Children dressed like characters from the iconic tale Make Way for Ducklings written by Robert McCloskey and set in Boston’s historic Public Garden, will celebrate Duckling Day in Boston! Led by the Harvard University Marching Band, the parade kicks off at the Boston Common, making its way down to the bronze Make Way for Ducklings sculptures honoring the children’s tale published in 1941.
In 1942, McCloskey won the Caldecott Medal for Make Way for Ducklings. Set in Boston, Massachusetts, the tale features a mallard pair that nests on a Charles River island. After raising her 8 ducklings on the island, the mother leads them to the Public Garden. A charming Boston policeman stops traffic to allow mom and the ducklings to cross Beacon Street. The story quickly became a Boston institution and in 1987, Sculptor Nancy Schön created a bronze statue of Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings.
The children’s classic became the official children’s book of Massachusetts in 2003, and the annual parade, Duckling Day Boston, held on Mother’s Day has continued for over 3 decades!
The 2-hour parade will start at 10 AM this year. Festivities are even more vibrant with additional family-friendly entertainment in the lineup and new additions:
- Lion dancers from Woo Ching White Crane School
- Meet and greet and performance with Harvard University Band
- Jenny the juggler
- Jump, climb and play display with Knucklebones
- Make Way for Ducklings reading station
- Photos with Boston’s giant duck
- Duck-themed goody bags
New this year, The City Ballet of Boston will perform the “Boston Petal Parade Dance” and “Make Way for Ducklings Dance” bringing the story to life with young duckling dancers, a tapping police officer, and an adult mother duckling. The piece will be performed against the backdrop of all three of Boston’s parks.
Parade registration is $35 and is used to cover the costs of show festivities and upkeep the Public Garden. The parade starts at the Boston Common Parkman Bandstand and concludes at the Make Way for Ducklings sculpture, with plenty of photo ops all along the route!
Celebrate Duckling Day in Boston on Sunday, May 12, from 10 AM- Noon