World's Largest Rubber Duck Waddles Into MD For 2 Special Events, 1st Time Visiting DMV

MARYLAND — It's huge, it's yellow, it's adorable and it's coming to Maryland. The world's largest rubber duck will be floating around waterfronts in Leonardtown Aug. 4-6 and Crisfield Aug. 11-13 along with her baby called Timmy.

Mama Duck stands 61 feet tall - higher than six stories - measures 69 feet wide, 79 feet long and weighs almost 32,000 pounds, according to its owner Craig Samborski of Minnesota. To stay inflated during a visit, the duck relies on three high-intensity blowers. It travels by semi-truck between locations and in the off season, it nestles down in a warehouse outside of Cleveland, Ohio, Samborski shared.

The duck, which unofficially holds the title of world's largest rubber duck, debuted in Los Angeles in 2014. Samborski told Patch that the idea behind the duck stemmed from "an evening out drinking with a colleague in LA that dared me to build it, so I did."

"People love the duck and taking selfies with it and the baby duck - that is my favorite part of the duck. Seeing the joy and happiness she creates is what it is all about for me. The mission of the duck is creating that joy, but also to remind people to enjoy the world’s waterfronts and to do so responsibly so they will be there for generations to come," Samborski said.

Leonardtown's town administrator Laschelle McKay told Patch that the community can't wait for the duck to swim its way to their waterfront town.

"Social media posts have been shared thousands of times and everyone is talking about the duck. All of the businesses in town are participating with unique specials and the visit has turned into a celebration of the 15th anniversary of our waterfront called Wharf Fest," McKay said.

To have the duck transported from Minnesota to Maryland costs the town of Leonardtown $9,500 but in the end, the smiles on everyone's faces will be worth it, McKay noted. There will be shuttle rides available to see the duck along with music, food and activities at Wharf Fest Aug. 4-6.

Heather Ross, Crisfield's arts and entertainment coordinator, told Patch that the community can't wait for the duck's arrival along with her baby as it glides to their Aug. 11-13 event at Somers Cove Marina.

"Everyone is extremely excited about this event and it is not only the talk of our town, but all over the Eastern Shore and all of Maryland since it's the first time it's ever been in Maryland, D.C. or Virginia. We are expecting visitors from all over to come and visit," Ross shared.

While it wasn't cheap to bring the duck to town, Ross said the Maryland State Arts Council provided Crisfield with relief funding to help perpetuate the arts in Maryland since the coronavirus pandemic, and the Crisfield Arts and Entertainment District decided to use that funding to help pay for the unique attraction.

"What better way to promote a live event than to go big and really get people out again in our water-oriented community than with the joyous world's largest rubber duck. We have fun for all ages throughout Aug. 11-13 at the beautiful Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield with live music and big specials from our local restaurants and shops, along with the Ward Wildfowl Foundation hosting arts activities for the kids. There will be boat tours of Crisfield not to mention so much more," Ross said.

Samborski, a lifelong special event producer, is the organizer behind the Tall Ships Festival sailing event.

The duck is available for events and festivals throughout the summer from late June until October. To request a visit from the duck or learn more about its travel schedule, click here.