The quack is back: World’s largest rubber duck is returning to Toronto’s waterfront

The return of the mama rubber duck.

The world’s largest rubber ducky is coming back to Toronto’s waterfront in the fall, specifically on September 16 and 17 at Queens Quay East.

“The number one program we continually get asked to bring back is by far the ‘World’s Largest Rubber Duck.’ After six years, we are very excited to have Mama Duck back to Toronto’s Waterfront to celebrate the last weekend of summer,” said Nancy Gavin, Chair of the Toronto Waterfront Festival.

In addition to what the Toronto Waterfront Festival calls “Mama Duck,” the event will have interactive activities, giveaways, live entertainment, local food trucks, and more.

In 2017, the six-storey, 13,000-kilogram rubber duck arrived in Toronto to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary. She was met with some controversy after it was revealed that Ontario’s government approved a grant of about $120,000 that went toward the giant rubber duck.

The then-costs included renting the duck from a man in the U.S., transporting it, inflating it, using a crane to lift it onto a barge, towing it, bringing it to other Ontario communities, marketing, and on-site support such as portable toilets and extra fencing.

RELATED: Giant rubber duck was an economic boon, festival says

Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives said at the time they were unclear on the duck’s connection to Canada’s heritage celebrations, with Rick Nicholls calling it “an absurd waste of taxpayers’ dollars.”

“It is an absolute cluster duck.”

A spokesperson said more than 750,000 people attended the three-day celebration, and the festival generated an estimated $7.6 million in economic impact for the city. Residents spent $16.5 million related to the event, including $4.8 million at local restaurants.

The giant rubber duck is based on similar floating structures by a Dutch artist that has travelled the world.

With files from The Canadian Press