Playland’s Mama Duck Oversees Wedding Vow Renewal

It didn’t exactly go to plan, but the world’s largest rubber duck has officially witnessed a wedding vow renewal! Amy Wadford and Leo Lawrence reaffirmed their marital commitment in front of the strapping 61 foot Mama Duck on the afternoon of Friday, August 16th. The inflatable quacker had just arrived at Playland Beach earlier that afternoon.

Just before the planned time of the ceremony, Mama Duck’s owner, Craig Samborski, found out that four out of the eight concrete blocks needed to tether Mama to the ground were missing. Her inflation was delayed by over three hours, but the Manhattan couple was determined to follow through on their renewals in spite of the wait. 

After Samborski finally received the four missing blocks, Mama was inflated, and the ceremony commenced. To match their chosen backdrop, Wadford donned a headband with a tiny rubber duck on top. Even her bouquet was yellow to complement Mama’s vibrant color.

Lawrence’s mother was in attendance at the renewal ceremony, but she certainly was not the only spectator. While the majority of beachgoers steered clear of the duck and continued to lather on their sunscreen, nearly 20 passersby on the boardwalk stopped to watch in support.

With Mama hovering over them, Wadford and Lawrence exchanged their vows. Wadford presented her husband with his original wedding band, which he had taken off and given to her before the ceremony. Lawrence put a new ring on his wife’s finger, one that she had bought at the Playland gift shop earlier that day. Wadford called her new ring the “Playland ring” as a way to commemorate the special day. 

Now that Mama Duck has seen a vow renewal, what’s next for her? Mama and her smaller counterpart, Timmy, will continue to roost on Playland Beach for the remainder of the weekend before flying to Tusla, Oklahoma. There is a chance of rain on Sunday, but Samborski said that Mama actually enjoys the rain, and it won’t impact her inflation.