Rum River Festival Taking Flight With Big Attraction

Originally published 5:00 a.m. May 22nd, 2024

Updated 5:00 a.m. June 7th, 2024

(KNSI) – Everyone is quacking about the Rum River Festival.

Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Executive Director Kim Young says rubber ducks are nothing new to the event, but this year will be special with a giant addition looming over the city.

“The [World’s Largest Rubber] Duck is over six stories high. I believe it’s 61 feet tall. So, it’ll tower above any building we have here in Princeton, which will be really fun to see.”

Young was surprised that organizers were able to line up the King Kong-sized attraction. She says securing it for 2024 was seen as a long-shot, perhaps even daffy, idea.

“I thought, ‘Oh! Well, this would be kind of fun to bring the world’s largest rubber duck.’ And, so, they have a form on their website, I filled out the form, sent it off, and didn’t really think much of it. They called me back a couple of weeks later, and he was really excited that it would be a really good fit.”

She believes this is the first time the giant rubber duck has been at an event south of Duluth, so move over Duck Dodgers and Howard the Duck, Princeton is mallard for the World’s Largest Rubber Duck, on display through Sunday. The more traditional variety of rubber ducks race down the Rum River on Friday night, with the winners claiming cash prizes.

A full list of Rum River Festival activities is here.

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