Big Duck Holiday Lighting Ceremony Scheduled For Dec. 3

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, the Suffolk County Parks Department and the Town of Southampton Parks Department will be hosting the Big Duck Holiday Lighting Ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 3, starting at 7 p.m.

The Big Duck is located on Route 24 in Flanders, one mile East of the Riverhead Traffic Circle.

This year’s festivities will feature live entertainment including a duck carol sing-a-long led by the Riverhead Middle School Show Choir, a visit from LI Ducks Mascot “Quackerjack”, and the arrival of Santa Claus.

“The lighting of the Big Duck has become a tradition for Suffolk residents as an official kick-off for the holiday season,” said Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone.

The Big Duck was constructed in 1931 by Riverhead duck farmer Martin Maurer and his wife Jeule to attract customers to buy their Peking ducks.

It measures 30 feet from beak to tail, 15 feet from wing to wing, and 20 feet from its base to the top of its head.

In 1987, the Big Duck was donated to the Suffolk County Parks Department and moved to its current location on Route 24 in Flanders.

The Big Duck also serves as a tourist information center for the Long Island Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Parking will be available at the Flanders Men’s Club on 1018 Flanders Road.

For further information, call (631) 854-4606.