Two ducks enjoy a quiet day at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common. On Sunday, May 11 they will be joined by hundreds of people who will be on hand to celebrate Duckling Day. Photo: Elizabeth Jordan
Thousands of webbed feet will be flocking to the Parkman Bandstand on Sunday, May 11 for the 10:30 a.m. kick-off of Duckling Day. The non-profit Friends of the Public Garden, in partnership with the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department, will celebrate Mother’s Day with Boston-area families during this beloved tradition. The event celebrates the children’s classic book Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. Every year, over 1,000 people meet up and parade through Boston’s most iconic parks, dressed like characters from the story. Led by the Harvard Marching Band, the parade will begin on the Boston Common at the Parkman Bandstand and end in the Public Garden near the famous Make Way for Ducklings sculptures.
“Duckling Day has been a Boston tradition for more than 30 years and the Friends of the Public Garden has been its host for the last several,” said Elizabeth Vizza, Executive Director of the Friends of the Public Garden. “It is terrific to see families participating in activities on the Common, marching in the parade to the famous Make Way for Ducklings statue in the Public Garden, and coming together to celebrate our public spaces in such a delightful way.”
Prior to the parade there will be plenty of family entertainment including face painters, a magician, and puppet show. The Knucklebones crew will be leading children in playtime, and moms are invited to enjoy a free mini-massage. Mayor Walsh will greet families prior to the parade, and actors from the Wheelock Family Theatre will do a dramatic reading from Make Way for Ducklings. The registration fee is $35 per family in advance and $40 per family the day of the event. Each child who registers will receive a special goodie bag filled with Duckling Day toys.
Event highlights include:
10:30 a.m. Registration opens on Boston Common at the Parkman Bandstand
11:45 a.m. Mayor Walsh and Executive Director Liz Vizza greet families
12:00 p.m. Parade begins
For more information or to register, go to www.friendsofthepublicgarden.org or contact Karin Turer at (617)-599-8509.
Special thanks to the Motor Mart Garage for sponsoring this event. For parking information, please visit www.motormartgarage.com.