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AMHERSTBURG — Despite a deflating debut, the most surprisingly unexpected symbol of Canada’s sesquicentennial celebrations finally rose to the occasion Sunday, and thousands were able to stare up in awe at the world’s largest rubber duck.

“I’m so excited — this is like the best thing ever,” said Windsor’s Rebecca Champagne, who had to make two weekend trips to Amherstburg.

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Organizers tried and tried on Saturday, but high winds blowing in off the Detroit River meant that visitors to the Canuck It Up! festival had to return to the King’s Navy Yard Park Sunday to see the six-storey, 30,000-pound (13.6-tonne) ‘Mama Duck’ in all her glory.

Photo by Jason Kryk / Windsor Star

“I didn’t really understand the whole point of having a rubber duck to celebrate Canada’s 150, but I guess when you get the opportunity to see a giant rubber duck, you’ve got to jump on it,” said Anne Marie Moniz, who came from Kingsville with Brian Miinch.

Organizers originally anticipated 40,000 people visiting Amherstburg over the weekend, but Mayor Aldo DiCarlo said that number visited on Saturday alone and at least that many attended on Sunday. The town was so busy that restaurants ran out of food.