{"id":15210,"date":"2022-12-06T05:46:15","date_gmt":"2022-12-06T05:46:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hoptraveler.com\/index.php\/2022\/12\/06\/peabody-hotel-duckmaster-leads-traditional-duck-march-all-things-cruise\/"},"modified":"2022-12-06T05:46:15","modified_gmt":"2022-12-06T05:46:15","slug":"peabody-hotel-duckmaster-leads-conventional-duck-march-all-things-cruise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hoptraveler.com\/index.php\/2022\/12\/06\/peabody-hotel-duckmaster-leads-conventional-duck-march-all-things-cruise\/","title":{"rendered":"Peabody Hotel Duckmaster leads conventional duck march \u2013 All Things Cruise"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Jackie Sheckler Finch<\/p>\n

As new Duckmaster on the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Kenon Walker has no doubts who’s boss. After trailing the fowl on their each day march to the elevator, Kenon acknowledges the apparent.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe ducks don\u2019t actually follow me,\u201d the 42-year-old admits. \u201cThey lead me.\u201d<\/p>\n

At 11 every morning, the geese step to John Philip Sousa\u2019s \u201cKing Cotton March\u201d alongside a purple carpet from their rooftop $200,000 Royal Duck Palace to the well-known travertine marble fountain within the Grand Lobby.<\/p>\n

There they splash and preen till 5 p.m., when the procession reverses and the geese retire for the night to their rooftop abode atop the Peabody Hotel. Visitors are invited to look at the free spectacle and to go to the rooftop for among the best views of Memphis.<\/p>\n

An glorious benefit supplied by American Queen Voyages for its American Queen cruise from Memphis is having passengers arrive the evening earlier than the cruise departs. That is a good way to assist ensure passengers don\u2019t miss the cruise due to flight delays. It additionally permits passengers to take pleasure in Memphis websites and get evening\u2019s sleep on the well-known Peabody Hotel.<\/p>\n

American Queen Voyages additionally presents a two-night keep in Memphis earlier than the cruise for the \u201cComplete Memphis Experience,\u201d which incorporates main Memphis points of interest. Well price the additional money and time. I opted for that for an opportunity to see Graceland, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Sun Studio, National Civil Rights Museum, Beale Street and extra. Let\u2019s see what number of of these I’ve time to go to.<\/p>\n

8 Night \u2013 Memphis to St. Louis \u2013 American Queen<\/a><\/p>\n

Birth of the Peabody Ducks <\/strong><\/p>\n

As the \u201cSouth\u2019s Grand Hotel,\u201d the Peabody has drawn presidents, dignitaries, entertainers and folk from all walks of life. Opened in 1869 by Robert Campbell Brinkley on the nook of Main and Monroe in downtown Memphis, the unique resort was named in honor of Brinkley\u2019s just lately deceased pal, George Peabody. The authentic resort was torn down and a brand new bigger Peabody was constructed at its current location at Union Avenue and Second Street, opening in 1925.<\/p>\n

The function of Duckmaster originated on the Peabody Memphis virtually 90 years in the past. \u201cThe whole thing started as a practical joke,\u201d Kenon says.<\/p>\n

Back in 1933, Frank Schutt, basic supervisor of the Peabody, and a pal, Chip Barwick, went on a weekend looking journey in Arkansas. \u201cThey took another colleague along with them. His name was Jack Daniel,\u201d Kenon says.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey had a bit too much of that Jack Daniel\u2019s sipping whiskey and thought it would be funny to sneak some of their live duck decoys into the lobby fountain. That\u2019s back when you were allowed to have live duck decoys. So they put the ducks in the lobby fountain and went up to their room to sleep it off.\u201d<\/p>\n

When they got here down the following morning, the 2 males have been shocked. \u201cThey were surprised because the ducks were still there,\u201d Kenon says. \u201cAnd they were surprised to see a huge crowd watching the ducks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thus started a Peabody custom.<\/p>\n

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The first Peabody Duckmaster<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 1940, bellman Edward Pembroke, a former circus animal coach, supplied to assist with delivering the geese to the fountain every day and taught them the now-famous Peabody Duck March. Pembroke turned The Peabody Duckmaster, serving in that capability for 50 years till his retirement in 1991.<\/p>\n

The 5 mallards are at all times 4 females and one male. More than one male would possibly trigger turf issues, Kenon says. An uneven variety of females would possibly make the girl mallards activate the odd duck.<\/p>\n

Every day, a mess of tourists line up for each the morning and night march. Kenon patiently recounts the story, helps the \u201cHonorary Duckmaster\u201d chosen to help Kenon unroll the purple carpet and makes certain no friends are in between the fountain and the elevator when the geese are able to roll.<\/p>\n

Clad in his scarlet-and-gold-trimmed jacket along with his conventional brass-head duck cane, Kenon acknowledges that, \u201cliving in Memphis, the Peabody Hotel is a legendary place,\u201d he mentioned. \u201cBut I never dreamed I would one day be the Duckmaster.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Becoming Peabody Duckmaster<\/strong><\/p>\n

So how did Kenon grow to be the most recent Duckmaster? An actor, Kenon had spent greater than a dozen years as a tour information and historian on the National Civil Rights Museum and Stax Academy of American Soul Music in Memphis. After changing into concierge on the Peabody, Kenon quickly caught the eye of Duckmaster Doug Weatherford.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was February 23rd, 2019. I became the assistant Duckmaster. And in January 2020, Doug retired and now here I am,\u201d Kenon says, bringing the geese and the enjoyment to all who come.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do get new ducks every three months because we release the previous ducks back into the wild,\u201d Kenon says. \u201cSo the new duckies have to get used to me and their surroundings and, before long, they seem to like walking to the elevator in the morning and walking back at night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although the geese appear completely content material to paddle round within the foyer fountain, generally sudden incidents do occur. One time, one of many hens took a nap on the ledge of the fountain and fell off on the no-water facet. The duck didn\u2019t know what to take action she went working to the elevator. But the elevator wasn\u2019t open so she ran previous the reward store, previous the restaurant after which she noticed a 30-foot Christmas tree within the foyer.<\/p>\n

Sure sufficient, the wayward duck zoomed towards the tree the place the Duckmaster retrieved her among the many wrapped presents and escorted her again to the fountain the place she fortunately joined her paddling buddies.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn today\u2019s world, I think we all need some happiness,\u201d Kenon says. \u201cIt\u2019s more than a job to me. It\u2019s a true blessing to bring something positive to people\u2019s lives. Who would have thought that watching ducks waddle to and from the fountain would make people so happy? But it does and it makes me happy, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Photos by Logan Peters<\/p>\n

* Traditional duck march.<\/p>\n

Photo courtesy of Peabody Hotel<\/p>\n

* Duckmaster Kenon Walker continues the Peabody custom.<\/p>\n

* Kenon\u2019s coat cuff spotlights his Peabody job.<\/p>\n

* Duckmaster\u2019s distinctive cane.<\/p>\n

* Peabody Hotel fountain fascinates duck watchers of all ages.<\/p>\n

* Hotel room on the Peabody.<\/p>\n

* Swimming pool at Peabody Hotel<\/p>\n\n

Ed. Notes:\u00a0See cruises right here:<\/p>\n

American Queen Voyages Cruises<\/a><\/p>\n

American Queen Cruises<\/a><\/p>\n

8 Night \u2013 Memphis to St. Louis \u2013 American Queen (cruisecompete.com)<\/a><\/p>\n

See cruises right here> CruiseCompete and its member journey advisors present many curated cruise and land offers, presents and facilities on over 50 cruise traces with over 500 cruise ships crusing all all over the world.\u00a0Browse Cruise Ships and Cruise Lines<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n