Giant rubber duck makes splash in Windsor as Jeep celebrates 85 years in Canada

A giant rubber duck bobbed along the Detroit River on Wednesday as Jeep celebrated its 85th anniversary in Canada with a tribute to a quirky tradition that began in Ontario and spread around the world.

The 12-metre-high, 11-metre-wide inflatable duck was anchored near the foot of Ouellette Avenue, facing the Stellantis Canada’s headquarters where music, vehicle displays and giveaways marked the milestone for one of the country’s best-knows automotive brands.

Sitting near the base of Windsor’s Great Canadian Flag, the oversized duck paid tribute to “Jeep Ducking,” a viral movement that started in Ontario in 2020 in which Jeep owners anonymously leave small rubber ducks on other Jeeps to spread a little positivity.

Wednesday’s celebration also featured a collection of historic and modern Jeep vehicles, including a 1943 World War II-era Willys MB and a Windsor-built 1968 M38A1 Canadian Willys Jeep, highlighting the brand’s long history in Canada.

Jeep “continues to honour the passionate community and unmistakable culture that have helped make it an icon of off-road leadership and adventure,” the company said in a news release.

The event coincided with the launch of Jeep’s new national advertising campaign, Anyone Who Gets It, which celebrates the community and culture that have grown around the brand over the past eight decades.