Lifestyle

Photos: Squeal over kids dressed up for the Duckling Day parade

The city honored moms with a tribute to the Boston-based children’s book.

May 9, 2016

2 minutes to read

On Sunday, more than 1,000 families brought the classic Boston-based children’s book Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey to life at the Boston Common and Boston Public Garden. Parents were able to brighten up the gray Mother’s Day morning by dressing their toddlers up in bright, befeathered outfits.

Boston, MA - 5/8/2016 - Ellie Rennick, 2, of Halifax took cover under a duck shaped umbrella during the Annual Duckling Day Parade in Boston, MA May 8, 2016. Topic: 09ducklings Reporter:

Ellie Rennick, 2, took cover under a duck-shaped umbrella during the annual Duckling Day parade.

At Duckling Day, families were entertained with crafts, face painters, a magician, and a puppet show prior to a parade. Moms were also able to enjoy a free mini-massage, thanks to local volunteer massage therapists who came out for the occasion, according to the nonprofit Friends of the Public Garden.

Boston, MA - 5/8/2016 - A duckling perched up on an adults shoulders as she took in a magic show before the start of the Annual Duckling Day Parade in Boston, MA May 8, 2016. Topic: 09ducklings Reporter:

A duckling perched up on an adult’s shoulders as she took in a magic show before the start of the parade.

The Harvard Marching Band led the parade of toddlers dressed up as ducklings from the Boston Common’s Parkman Bandstand to the Public Garden near the famous Make Way for Ducklings sculptures.

Boston, MA - 5/8/2016 - 17 month old Grey Schroeder of Boston looked to his mom for a little reassurance as the Harvard Marching Band played during the Annual Duckling Day Parade in Boston, MA May 8, 2016. Topic: 09ducklings Reporter:

Seventeen-month-old Grey Schroeder of Boston looked to his mom for a little reassurance as the Harvard Marching Band played during Duckling Day.

Though it was a bit rainy early in the day on Sunday, families still crowded the Garden for the adorable event.

Boston, MA - 5/8/2016 - Kevin McCall Jr. 10 (C) was volunteered by Rhylee Richardson Porter (R) to be an assistant to a magician before the start of the Annual Duckling Day Parade in Boston, MA May 8, 2016. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff Topic: 09ducklings Reporter:

Kevin McCall Jr., 10, was volunteered by Rhylee Richardson Porter to be an assistant to a magician.

The Friends of the Public Garden, a nonprofit that works to preserve the park, declared it “duckling weather.”

Boston, MA - 5/8/2016 - Ilse Chen, 9 months old, of Cambridge hid out under an umbrella during the Annual Duckling Day Parade in Boston, MA May 8, 2016. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff Topic: 09ducklings Reporter:

BIlse Chen, 9 months old, of Cambridge hid out under an umbrella.

In the children’s book, Mrs. Mallard leads her eight ducklings—named Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack—through Boston’s bustling city streets. A police officer helps them make their trek safely, stopping traffic so that the family can cross Beacon Street to enter the Garden.