The duck is here as an attraction for the Redpath Waterfront Festival which received a $200,000 grant from the government for the running of the event. This was only part of the festival’s funds that are needed to put on the festival that features much more than a rubber duck.

The debate began when one side believed the money to be a waste of public funds, thinking that the duck was directly funded by the Ontario government. Only a portion of the government funds will actually go to the hiring of the duck, with other parts of the funding going to hire staff and fund other elements of the festival. This is also not the first year the festival had received the grant.

Other parts of the festival include:

• The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is returning to the festival with a 440 ft Naval Frigate,  and a host of interactive on-land activities! Visitors are invited to jump aboard and tour the deck of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Toronto.
• The Waterfront Artisan Market brings together a carefully curated mix of 75 artisans, crafters, chefs and bakers.
• Join Rhythm of the Nation for an interactive dance and musical experience featuring DJ Creeasian and hosted by bilingual actor Pierre Trudel.
• A 45-minute show comprised of Lumberjack events including logrolling, tree climbing, chainsaw carving & axe throwing

The 61 foot tall, 89 feet long duck weighing in at 30,000 pounds is the main attraction, and in part, the debate had much to do with that. I believe that the advertising dollars earned around the debate and the popularity of the coverage in general, is enough to pay the government back the money. This is a huge attraction whether it interests you or it does not.

Long live the duck!

Visit the Redpath Waterfront Festival website for full schedule.

The post The World’s Largest Rubber Duck has Arrived in Toronto appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Cuteness overload! We’ve been really hoping the World’s Largest Rubber Duck would make an appearance and it looks like our collective wishful efforts worked!

The World’s Largest Rubber Duck will be a part of the ONTARIO 150 Tour presented by Redpath Sugar. The tour will have the duck travelling to six ports throughout Ontario this summer to celebrate Canada’s 150th Anniversary.

The 61-foot tall rubber duck will be floating in our local Toronto waters on Canada Day weekend (July 1-3) during the Redpath Waterfront Festival. After that, it will move on to Owen Sound, Sault Ste. Marie, Midland, Amherstburg and Brockville.

Other Ontario 150 Tour events include local live music and entertainment in each of the ports. Rhythm of the Nation (Canada 150 Fund initiative) will also be high on our list to check out during the festival. The interactive dance and music performance centres around artist DJ Creeasian. Also announced is the West Coast Lumberjack Show as part of the tour programming. More details can be found on the website for the event here.

The World’s Largest Rubber Duck was created to inspire locals and tourists to explore and enjoy waterfront festivals around the world.

We hope you come down to snap some pics and share them with our readers.

DATES

Toronto – Redpath Waterfront Festival – July 1-3, 2017 – towaterfrontfest.com

Owen Sound – Maawanji’iding Festival Canadiana – July 7-9, 2017 – celebration2017.ca

Sault Ste. Marie – ROTARFEST, The Sault’s Summer Festival – July13-15, 2017 – rotaryfest.om

Midland – Harbour Days – July 21-23, 2017 – midland.ca

Amherstburg – Raiders, Rebels and Redcoats – August 5-6, 2017 – amherstburg.ca

Brockville – Rails to Trails – August 10-13 – railstotrailsbrockville.ca

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Sugar Beach opened up in 2010 as an addition to our waterfront public space and is also a huge step in the redesign and rezoning of the area. Previously a parking lot it is located at the bottom end of Jarvis Street at Queen’s Quay East near the downtown core. The beach was designed by Claude Cormier Architectes Paysagistes Incorporated which is Claude Cormier‘s group in Montreal. Claude is a Quebec native who studied architecture here in Toronto.

The beach has a great view of the Toronto Islands, Ontario Lake, and the Redpath Sugar Refinery which is its neighbour to the west on Queens Quay East. The area has been under a lot of construction lately with the Corus entertainment complex going up next door. This is the new home of The Edge 102.1, KidsCanPress, and a few other organizations. It is also across the street from The Guvernment Entertainment complex.

Although the beach does not have access to the water there are now fountains that you can cool off in on a hot day. The beach is also decorated with white Muskoka chairs, pink beach umbrellas, white sand, trees and plants, and a rock installation that is painted with white and red candy stripes in reference to the Redpath sugar refinery next door.

Next to the beach there is a boardwalk that passes by the Corus building and the restaurant Against The Grain. The area is still under transformation but I am excited for these new beginnings. A great place to get unplugged.

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