The Legend of the DucksSM
The decades-old tradition of the ducks in the Peabody
fountain started back in the 1930s. Frank Schutt, general
manager of The Peabody® Memphis, and his friend, Chip
Barwick, returned from a week-end hunting trip to Arkansas.
The men had had a little too much Tennessee sippin' whiskey
and thought it would be fun to place their live decoy ducks
(it was within the law then for hunters to use live decoys)
in the beautiful Travertine marble fountain in the lobby of
The Peabody. Three small English Call ducks were placed in
the fountain and the reaction was nothing short of enthusiasm.
Thus began a Peabody tradition that has endured and is now
firmly established as an American icon around the globe.
After 80 years, the marble fountain in the hotel lobby is
still graced by North American Mallards and their ceremonial
March of The Peabody Ducks still takes place daily at 11am and
5pm.
The Tradition Continues...
As the renown of The Peabody Ducks grew, PHG began to spread its
wings, first to Orlando and then to Little Rock. Today, The
Peabody® Orlando and The Peabody® Little Rock also proudly perform
the March of The Peabody Ducks.
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