The Duck Tradition at The Peabody Hotel

Every 90 days, five lucky ducks get their chance at fame and luxury at a hotel in Memphis. These special ducks even have their own personal Duckmaster who takes care of their every need.

How It All Started

The Peabody Hotel hosts this unique daily tradition that started as a prank in the 1930s. Almost 100 years ago, the hotel's general manager and his friend thought it would be funny to place some ducks in the hotel's Grand Lobby fountain. Guests loved it so much that it turned into the daily duck march we see today.

The Daily Duck March

At 11 AM each day, five ducks come down from their fancy home in a special elevator with Duckmaster Kenon Walker. A red carpet is rolled out for them as they march to the hotel's grand fountain. The Duckmaster guides them every step of the way.

Once they reach the fountain, Duckmaster Kenon serves the ducks their meal, which they happily eat right away. The ducks spend their day splashing in the fountain until 5 PM. Then they make their grand exit the same way they came in.

Living in Duck Luxury

When they're not working in the fountain, these ducks live in a fancy penthouse that cost $200,000 to build. Their home has its own fountain with a bronze duck that spits water. There's also a small house that looks just like the hotel where the ducks can nest. They even have a soft, grassy yard to enjoy.

Retirement and New Stars

After staying at the hotel for 90 days, the ducks go back to the farm where they grew up. There they can choose to stay on the farm or fly away to freedom. Then a new team of five ducks comes to the hotel to enjoy the same royal treatment.

This special tradition has made The Peabody Hotel famous and gives lucky ducks a taste of luxury before returning to their natural lives.