Despite Loss in China, Giant Rubber Duck Will Float its Way into Tall Ships Festival Next Month

"Rubber Duck" by Eva Rinaldi from Sydney, Australia

The disappearance last week of Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman’s giant rubber duck won’t impede plans for the duck to make its West Coast debut at the Tall Ships Festival Los Angeles on Aug. 20.

The 59-foot rubber duck was reported missing following heavy rainfall and floods that swept through China on Wednesday.

According to Craig Samborski, executive producer of the Tall Ships Festival Los Angeles, not only will the enormous rubber duck be on hand, but it will be larger than the 59-foot model last seen in Taiwan.

Hofman, the artist, provides the designs of his rubber duck for event organizers to build their own for their individual events, which can be different sizes, he said.

Constructing an original rubber duck for the upcoming Tall Ships Festival “has been the plan all along,” said Samborski.

The giant rubber duck has only made two appearances in the U.S., at unrelated events in Norfolk, Va., and Pittsburgh, Pa.

Samborski said he is elated to showcase the duck on the West Coast for the first time at the Port of Los Angeles.

“The duck is a big part of the festival, but the tall ships are also an exceedingly fun part of the event,” he said.

When the giant rubber duck arrives at the Port of Los Angeles, it may also have a name. Samborski said he is considering a naming contest for the duck.

The Tall Ships Festival Los Angeles will be held August 20-24 at the L.A. Waterfront.