Clintonville: Fine-feathered friends to strut stuff at Whetstone library's Duckling Day

Clintonville is about to go quackers.

The 35th annual Duckling Day will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon April 30 at the Whetstone branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, 3909 N. High St. in Columbus.

Based on the book “Make Way for Ducking,” written by Ohio author Robert McCloskey and published in 1941, children are encouraged to dress like ducklings and walk around the library and recreation center, followed by activities for families, said Kris Hickey, youth-services manager for Whetstone.

Free costume packets are available at the library.

Because of COVID-19, the event was canceled in 2020 and a virtual Duckling Day was held last year, when children got to watch a video online and were given free books by the library.

The event's return can’t be overstated, Hickey said.

“It feels wonderful,” Hickey said. “We’re very excited.”

All activities will be held outdoors.

Among the attractions will be real ducks, a puppet show, the Whetstone High School drum line, the Columbus Folk Music Society, a play area and four duck mascots.

The award-winning book tells the tale of two mallards that raise their brood of ducklings on an island in the lagoon in Boston Public Garden. When they go out exploring, they have trouble navigating the busy city and crossing the streets.

They are helped by friendly policeman and onlookers as they decide to return to Boston Public Garden, where they decide to live permanently.

While supplies last, the library will provide copies of “Make Way for Ducklings” and a bag full of activities.

“It’s so much fun,” Hickey said. “We have parents bringing their kids who went when they were kids.”

David Vottero, chairman of the Clintonville Area Commission, said he and his wife, Lisa, had taken their three children, now grown, to the event over the years.

Vottero called it a “fun, nostalgic memory.”

“Duckling Day was a lot of fun when my kids were younger,” he said. “It’s nice to have it come back. I think it will be more than a rite of spring this time – one small but very nice step to getting back to more normalcy in our routine, and hopefully, it’s not premature.”

gseman@thisweeknews.com

@ThisWeekGary

This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Clintonville: Whetstone branch library slates Duckling Day April 30