Happy 80th Birthday To The Big Duck

Today is a big day for fans of buildings that are in the shape of a giant big duck. The Big Duck in Flanders is celebrating 80 years today and a birthday party is taking place between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. The Big Duck It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 and if you can believe it 80 years ago was built as a place to sell ducks and duck eggs.

Owner Martin Maurer had The Big Duck building constructed between 1930 and 1931 and the duck’s eyes are made using two Ford Model T tail lights.

Martin Maurer’s idea was pretty simple when he built the Big Duck. He was looking for a way to advertise his duck egg business effectively, and by constructing a building in the shape of a duck, one could say that he did a pretty good job of accomplishing just that.

Admission to the “birthday party” for The Big Duck is completely free, and the party will include games for kids, music, refreshments and prizes for those that attend.

And by the way, you don’t have to bring the duck any birthday presents…

Check Out a Photo Gallery of 80 Years of the Big Duck