Ducks Amuck:
The 150-year old Peabody Hotel in Memphis calls itself the city’s only “5 Duck Hotel.” Everyday at 11 AM, the hotel’s Duckmaster (a fulltime employee) rolls out a red carpet and the hotel’s ducks march down the carpet to the hotel fountain in the center of the lobby. They swim in the fountain until 5 PM and then retire to their home on the hotel roof.
According to legend, it’s been going on since the 1930s when the hotel general manager thought it would be funny to toss live ducks into the hotel fountain. When the original Duckmaster retired after nearly 50 years of service in 2003, the hotel conducted a worldwide search for his replacement. The winner was Daniel Fox, who now is responsible for training and care of the ducks. The ducks are rotated every 90 days as when they grow up, they develop an independent streak and start wandering around the lobby.
I found out about all this when my father was in Memphis recently on business and stayed at the Peabody specifically to see the Duck March. I love that guy.
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I think more places should be rated in ducks.
I think more places should be rated in ducks.
I couldn’t agree more.
I couldn’t agree more.
It’s not the only one! They do the same thing at the Peabody in Orlando. It’s a great diversion for road-hardnened biz travellers. And well worth the walk from the other hotels along International drive, just to see it!
It’s not the only one! They do the same thing at the Peabody in Orlando. It’s a great diversion for road-hardnened biz travellers. And well worth the walk from the other hotels along International drive, just to see it!
I have seen this. Nina and I were in Memphis last year and we stayed across the street from the Peabody. It’s actually kind of hard to see the ducks since a huuuuge crowd gathers around their path, but it’s very cute. They really do get off the elevator and go to the fountain on a red carpet.
I have seen this. Nina and I were in Memphis last year and we stayed across the street from the Peabody. It’s actually kind of hard to see the ducks since a huuuuge crowd gathers around their path, but it’s very cute. They really do get off the elevator and go to the fountain on a red carpet.
My dad got up close and said that the duckmaster wears golden duck label pins.
My dad got up close and said that the duckmaster wears golden duck label pins.