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Duckling Day in Boston – Celebrating 75 years of Make Way for Ducklings

by New England for Families Editor 1 Comment

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Probably one of the most beloved books to come out of and feature Boston is Make Way for Ducklings. Each year hundreds and thousands of people make their way to Boston Common to celebrate duckling day as they dress up as a family to be ducks and ducklings themselves!
 Everything you need to know about the duckling day parade and event, but also where to buy duck costumes for kids, babies, and adults.
This year is special because the book is celebrating its 75th Anniversary and the festivities in the city will be a great weekend event to spend with your family on May 8th. So we’ve gathered up everything you need to know, ideas to dress up, and even have a giveaway for free tickets!

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The history of the Make Way for Ducklings Book & Parade

2016 marks the 75th anniversary of the book, making this year’s festivities that much more fun! In fact, get your copy of the Anniversary edition book and you’ll get an audio CD with it plus and special full-size poster that’s a map of Boston as it was in the 40s and with the ducklings on it.

Visiting the gardens, you will see the cute duck and duckling statues to commemorate this beautiful children’s book, but beyond just the statues, the most special way to pay tribute to the book is to participate in the Mother’s Day Duckling Day Parade and dress up for a unique day out as a family.

The parade begins in Boston Common and traces the path taken by Mr. and Mrs. Mallard in the book. Eight sweet ducks follow, just like the statues indicate. They’re looking for the perfect place to grow up in Boston! So recreate this event by marching with your own ducklings in the parade put on by the Friends of the Public Garden.

Preparing for the Duckling Day Parade

Registration starts at 10:00am and so does play time on the Common.

Bring yourself and your whole family dressed up as ducks and ducklings. You can easily find some great costumes and even just duck bills to dress up on Amazon that can be here in 24 – 48 hours if needed!

You can also dress up yourself, dring a duck call, and add feathers to your baby carriers and strollers. In fact, if you’re wearing a soft-structure carrier of any sort like an Ergo, Tula, or other, I have seen people buy dog costumes to fit on and around their carriers. And yes, they make duck costumes for dogs.


The parade begins at noon.
If your kids can walk, let them enjoy the festivities, if they can’t you can carry them and still let them be the cutest duckling on parade! After the parade, enjoy a Mothers’ Day lunch to celebrate family with each other.


See the parking Map
Participation is $35 before May 6, $40 after and at the event, or you can enter to win below courtesy of the Duckling Day event coordinators.
Entry-Form

Filed Under: Local Family Events and Attractions Tagged With: Books, Boston Common, Giveaway, Recurring events

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  1. dave

    at

    mr and mrs. mallard!

    Reply

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