Start scrubbing those Jeep tires and clearing space in your camera roll—because the world’s largest rubber duck is waddling her way to Hartville, Ohio, and she’s not coming quietly.
“Mama Duck,” a 6-story-tall, 11-ton icon of inflatable joy, will headline the Hartville Jeep Fest this Saturday, June 1. Towering over the crowds like a bath-time deity, she’s a symbol of whimsy, nostalgia, and pure “what am I looking at?” delight.
And she’s not always alone. Frequently accompanying her on tour is her 10-foot-tall offspring, Timmy. (No word yet on whether Timmy will be joining her in Hartville—we’re told he’s got a pretty busy summer.)
So Wait, What’s With Jeep People and Ducks?
If you’ve ever spotted a Jeep with a tiny rubber duck on the dashboard—or been mysteriously gifted one yourself—you’ve witnessed a bit of Jeep culture called “ducking.” It started in 2020 as a way for Jeep owners to spread positivity: leave a duck on another Jeep, maybe with a note or compliment, and brighten someone’s day. It caught on fast and turned into a full-blown tradition. These days, duck spotting is just part of the fun.
What’s Happening at Jeep Fest?
Alongside your mandatory duck selfie, the Hartville Jeep Fest is bringing the heat with:
- Raffles benefiting local charities
- A car crush event at 1:30 p.m. (yes, really)
- Food trucks and vendors for all your browsing and snacking needs
- Jeep Awards, including categories like Best in Show, Most Muddy, Best Non-Wrangler, and Best Modified
Registration for Jeep owners opens at 9 a.m., with judging from 11:30 to 12:30 and winners announced at 1 p.m.
Not Your Last Chance to See Her
Can’t make it to Hartville this weekend? No worries—Mama Duck will be back in Ohio later this summer for a three-day stint at Put-in-Bay from August 1–3. She’ll be hanging out near the island’s shores, though exact event details haven’t been announced. Spotted floating solo or paired with Timmy, she’s been known to pop up at everything from speedways to seafood fests. As her team says, the world is her bathtub.
So whether you’re Jeep-obsessed or just a sucker for oversized novelty icons, this weekend offers the perfect excuse for a quirky day trip. Rubber ducky, you’re the one.
For more info about the Hartville Jeep Fest, please click here.
