SOURCE: Tampa Bay Newspapers
Downtown Clearwater’s Coachman Park has a new resident that’s impossible to miss: a 61-foot-tall inflatable giant billed as the world’s largest rubber duck, and visitors aren’t just quacking up — they’re flocking in.
The massive attraction, affectionately dubbed Mama Duck, was inflated in Clearwater on Friday, Jan. 9, and will remain on display through Sunday, Jan. 26. During its stay, the bright yellow spectacle is visible daily during park hours, with the best views available from the Clearwater waterfront, downtown streets, and nearby bridges.
Alongside is her 10-foot-tall baby duck, Timmy, who is also making appearances at various locations around the city and spending most of the visit alongside Mama Duck.
City officials say this is more than a goofy gimmick. It’s part of a broader push to bring more people downtown and spotlight Coachman Park’s $84 million transformation and the surrounding waterfront district. Officials credit the duck with boosting foot traffic, increasing local business activity, and generating widespread attention on social media.
Several community events are scheduled around the duck’s visit, including the first-ever Duck Dash 5K, live entertainment, markets, and family-friendly activities throughout the park. Organizers say these events are spread across the duck’s full run, giving visitors multiple chances to see the installation before it departs.
Mayor Bruce Rector called the response “duck mania,” with families, tourists, and locals snapping selfies and enjoying the waterfront backdrop.
Duck Mania continues today in Clearwater. Nearly 500 runners this morning for the Duck Dash and appearance in this weekend’s The Wall Street Journal print edition. Come out before January 24th to join the fun and create your own personal World’s Largest Rubber Duck story. pic.twitter.com/xsJ9857yPw
— Bruce Rector (@brucearector) January 11, 2026
UPDATE: Clearwater Clarifies Official Cost Breakdown for Mama Duck + Duck Days
With Mama Duck drawing big crowds, there’s also been some buzz around earlier cost estimates. The City of Clearwater has since shared an updated breakdown, and this serves as clarification.
According to Amber Brice, Arts & Cultural Affairs Manager for the City of Clearwater, the costs are:
- DUCK RENTAL: $19,150 (not $90,000)
- SPONSORSHIPS SECURED: $44,404
- EVENT COST: $45,000
The city said the event budget covers programming and operational needs across the full run of events, including:
- Performers and musical acts
- Entertainment and activities (face painting, petting zoo, axe throwing, paint bus, etc.)
- Overnight weekend security for the duck
- Police services for all events
- Concrete barricade rentals for Mama Duck
To help reduce the City’s out-of-pocket costs, Clearwater secured $44,404 in sponsorships. All upcoming events remain free and open to the public.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect the City of Clearwater’s official cost breakdown.
The Quack-tivities Calendar | What to Do at Coachman Park: January Event Guide
- Jan. 10: Market Marie (10 a.m.–2 p.m.)
Local artisans and small businesses, plus a live DJ, pet adoptions, produce, and kid-friendly activities.
- Jan. 11: Duck Dash 5K
A timed 5K with the giant duck as the waterfront backdrop.
- Jan. 17: Rubber Ducky’s Birthday Bash (10 a.m.–2 p.m.)
A family-heavy celebration with kids’ concerts (Jack Hartmann and Mr. Brad), plus bounce houses, face painting, balloon animals, crafts, and more.
- Jan. 23: Scenes on the Green (5–8 p.m.)
An outdoor movie night featuring Migration (PG).
- Jan. 24: Duck ’n’ Drive Jeep Invasion (10 a.m.–4 p.m.)
A full-day Jeep festival with live music, vendors, food trucks, a beer garden, “touch-a-Jeep” areas for kids, and even axe throwing.
SOURCE: Fox 13 Tampa Bay
Organizers are also urging visitors to plan ahead for parking or consider public transportation on event days, since the park is expected to stay busy through the run.
After Jan. 26, the inflatable will be deflated, ending Clearwater’s brief but very noticeable moment with the giant duck. Until then, city officials encourage visitors to stop by Coachman Park, snap photos, and take in one of the most unusual attractions to ever grace the waterfront.
Whether you find it whimsical or weird, Mama Duck has become the must-see attraction in Clearwater this January, and she’s proving that sometimes the best way to bring a community together is with something outrageous, inflatable, and absolutely unforgettable.
Want to check if Mama Duck is up before you go? A live view is available here.
FAIR WARNING! Just know she’s a bit of a diva about the wind: if gusts hit around 15 mph, Mama Duck may take an unscheduled beauty nap (aka get temporarily deflated for safety), and she’ll be back up as soon as the weather stops acting up.
We actually caught one of those nap moments on camera! Watch it happen below.