2001 USDF Convention
Orlando, FL

The Peabody Duck March

When bored, annoyed, blown away or overthrilled by the meeting marathon of the 2001 USDF Convention in the Peabody Hotel in Orlando, Florida, visitors of the convention can take a break from all the didactive pressure by relaxing in the comfortable seats in the Peabody lobby. However, don't be surprised by the unusual guests occupying the scene as well, i.e. the famous Peabody ducks. A group of five mallard enjoy a daily swim from 11 AM to 5 PM in their fountain, central in the lobby. The ceremonial walk to and from the fountain occurs on a red carpet in the presence of the Peadybody Lord Chamberlaine.

The tradition of the Duck March began in the 1930s when Frank Schutt, General Manager of The Peabody Memphis, and a good friend Chip Barwick, Sr. both avid outdoorsmen, returned from a weekend hunting trip to Arkansas. It seems that they had nipped a bit of Tennessee sippin' whiskey, and thought, with schoolboy prankishness, that it would be humouress to place some of their live duck decoys (it was legal for hunters to use live decoys) in the beautiful but barren Peabody fountain. Three small English call ducks were selected as "guinea pigs" and the reaction was nothing short of enthusiastic.

Thus began a Peabody tradition which was to become famous in international hoteldom for years to come. The original ducks have long since gone, but their descendants still grace the beautiful marble fountain in the hotel lobbies of The Peabody Memphis and The Peabody Orlando.

Text by Astrid Appels + Peabody Memphis Fact Book

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