Last day: Taoyuan Yellow Rubber Duck Farewell Event to Kick Off in the Afternoon

▲ During the exhibition, strong winds caused the Yellow Rubber Duck’s head to tilt forward, making it look as if it were saying “goodbye” to everyone. (Photo provided by Taoyuan County Cultural Affairs Bureau)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The Taoyuan Yellow Rubber Duck exhibition has had a bumpy ride, but just two days before the end of its run, it was finally reinflated and “reunited with the public.” This afternoon (the 10th) at 3 PM, the deflation process will begin, marking its official farewell to Taoyuan. The county government will host a gratitude farewell event in front of the Hou Tang Lake exhibition site, where 300 duck-shaped balloons will be given out. The “Closing Night of the Land Art Festival” will then commence at 5 PM.

The Taoyuan County Government stated that, according to forecasts from the Central Weather Bureau, the weather might change in the afternoon on the 10th, so they decided to deflate the duck early at 3 PM and hold a farewell event. Kindergarten children will perform ladybug and duck dances to thank the duck for bringing joy to Xinzhuang during its stay. The exhibit area will be cleared by 3:30 PM, and the duck is expected to be fully deflated by 4:30 PM. However, as the weather may be unpredictable, adjustments will be made flexibly.

▲ Yayoi Kusama’s “Dots” installation art (left) and Choi Jeong Hwa’s “Lotus” piece will also say goodbye to Taoyuan. (Photo by reporter You…)

At 5 PM next to the Dots exhibit area, the closing gala of this exhibition’s main theme — the Land Art Festival — will take place. Performances will be given by the Shengsheng Theater Troupe, the Dancing Bell Theater Troupe, and the Thor Theater Troupe. International art master Yayoi Kusama’s dot art, Choi Jeong Hwa’s large-scale lotus installation, and other works by local artists will also bid farewell to Taoyuan.

On the 9th, with clear weather all day, nearly 220,000 visitors flocked to the exhibition site to “see the duck.” To alleviate the large crowds on the final day of the exhibition, the county government added more shuttle buses — in addition to the original 105 scheduled runs, 20 extra buses were prepared and will be deployed flexibly as needed. The public is encouraged to take advantage of the last stretch of good weather and head to Xinzhuang to send off the Yellow Rubber Duck.