The Toronto Waterfront Festival is bringing the world’s largest rubber duck back to the city this weekend.
In 2017, the World’s Largest Rubber Duck made a splash in Toronto when it floated in to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary. Drawn to the Duck, more than 750,000 people attended the three-day celebration and the Waterfront Festival generated an estimated $7.6 million in economic impact for Toronto.
In addition to Mama Duck, who appears on land this year for closer access, the festival will have large activations from the Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Canadian Navy, and Live Green Toronto, who will present interactive and cultural programming.
The Canadian Armed Forces will be rolling in with two massive vehicles, each weighing over 45,000 pounds. Visitors can explore the Canadian Army’s Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) 6.0 and Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) as well as meet the crews, hear their experiences, explore their gear and learn about what life is like as a military member.
The festival, which is in partnership with the Waterfront BIA, will also welcome back the Royal Canadian Navy with on-land and on-water activations including the HMCS Oriole sail training vessel, which is celebrating its 102nd anniversary. The Royal Canadian Navy will also have their mascot SONAR and equipment on-land for people to explore and interact with.
“The Canadian Armed Forces is proud to participate in events across Canada, and we welcome all Canadians to come out to meet our personnel and see our equipment,” stated Colonel Nickolas Roby, Commander, Canadian Armed Forces Recruiting Group.
The festival which taking place at 7 Queens Quay, this Saturday (11am to 8pm) and Sunday (10am to 6pm), will also have a DJ booth and pop-up entertainment from Redpath Sugar, as well as delicious eats from a number of local food trucks and sponsor giveaways and activities.