Twice daily, a red carpet is rolled out as a group of ducks march their way through the fabulous Peabody Memphis hotel and into the Italian marble fountain in the hotel's Grand Lobby. The tradition began in the 1930s and it continues today. Five North American Mallard ducks live in a posh duck palace on the top of the hotel. They are taken care of by a Duckmaster who also trains them. Beginning at 11AM, the ceremony begins as they march or waddle their way to the lobby and through the crowds of spectators into the fountain. At 5PM the ceremony is reversed and they march out of the fountain area and back to their duck palace. The ducks live at the hotel for three months before a new group replaces them and continues the march. The retired ducks are taken to a wildlife reserve where they live the rest of their days as wild ducks.
