Today’s Forecast

37º | Sunny | 6% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:12 a.m. | Sunset 4:28 p.m.

Culture

Getting down with the Ducklings

Visit Nancy Schön’s bronze sculpture during the annual Duckling Day Parade. | Photo by Rizka, via Wikimedia Commons

This Sunday, load up the family and waddle down to the Boston Common for the annual Duckling Day events with Friends of the Public Garden. Before the festivities begin, let’s take a lap and learn more about one of Boston’s most iconic moms and her ducklings.

In 1941, the beloved childrens book “Make Way for Ducklings” was first published. The story, written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey, features Mrs. Mallard and her family of ducklings. The book follows the family through their adventures in Beacon Hill and the Boston Public Garden.

The famous bronze ducklings statues were created by Nancy Schön and installed in the Public Garden in 1987, near the corner of Beacon and Charles streets. Mrs. Mallard stands 38 inches tall and her eight ducklings follow behind her. The sculpture is one of the iconic landmarks of the Public Garden and the ducks are often dressed up for holidays and city events.

Boston Public Garden ducklings wearing "Boston Strong 10th Year" gear — The Public Garden ducklings all dressed up for the Boston Marathon.
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Photo by @sandywhitewellness

Here’s what you need to know:

The 30+ year-old tradition brings hundreds of families to parade through the Boston Common. It will be led by the Harvard Marching Band and begin on the Boston Common Parkman Bandstand (139 Tremont St.), heading towards the duckling statues.

Before the parade kicks off, there will be Playtime on the Common from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., including family-friendly entertainment like a performance by young lion dancers, a reading station, and a goody bag for every child.

Pro tip: All families are encouraged to decorate their wagons and strollers for the parade.

Registration is $35 per family in advance and $40 the day-of the event.

Getting there:

MBTA stations around Beacon Hill include Park Street, Arlington, Bowdoin + Charles, or various MBTA bus routes.
If you’re traveling by car, there is the Charles Street Garage at 144 Charles St. or the Boston Common Garage at 0 Charles St.

Events

Friday, May 12

Spring Fling | Friday, May 12 | 7-11 p.m. | Night Shift Brewing, 87 Santilli Hwy., Everett | $10-$18 | Dress to impress for the chance to be crowned King or Queen at this adult prom complete with cocktails, mocktails, and craft beers.
Beetlejuice | Friday, May 12-Sunday, May 14 | Times vary | Citizens Bank Opera House, 539 Washington St., Boston | $40-$175 | Grab your “Handbook for the Recently Deceased” and enjoy the final weekend for the musical based on Tim Burton’s classic movie.

Saturday, May 13

Dog Mom’s Marketplace | Saturday, May 13 | 1-4 p.m. | Bone Up Brewing, 38 Norman St., Everett | Free to attend | Calling all the furmoms, shop this dog-friendly market and enter to win a raffle basket of treats for dogs and humans.
Boston Night Market 2023: Spring Edition | Saturday, May 13 | 4-10 p.m. | City Hall Plaza, 1 City Hall Sq., Boston | $12-$70 | Head to City Hall for an evening of arts, food contests, kid activities, games, and entertainment.

Sunday, May 14

Lilac Sunday | Sunday, May 14 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, 125 Arborway, Boston | Free | Take a self-guided tour of the garden or a guided tour, which depart every half hour from the Arborway Gate and the Ponds.
Gelli-Printmaking at SoWa | Sunday, May 14 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | SoWa Open Market, 500 Harrison Ave., Boston | Free | Celebrate Mother’s Day at the open market with a demonstration on Gelli-printing and take home your own cards.
Bubbles & Brunch | Sunday, May 14 | 12-1 p.m. | Super Bien, 525 Western Ave., Brighton | $40 | Learn about four natural sparkling wines paired with brunch items like strawberry cream cheese empanadas + a prosciutto and melon salad.
Sofar Sounds Concert | Sunday, May 14 | 6-8 p.m. | Samuel Adams Boston Brewery, 30 Germania St., Boston | $26 | Enjoy three short sets from performers of all musical genres in the Jamaica Plain beer garden.

Monday, May 15

Farmers Markets Open for the Season | Monday, May 15 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Locations vary, Boston | Free | Local food is back — weekly farmers markets at Central Square, Davis Square, and Kendall Square are open for the season the week of Monday, May 15 and will run until mid-November.*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Finance

Kick back and retire (yes, please)

SmartAsset wants to help you retire. | Photo by SmartAsset

This billion-dollar startup wants to help you retire.

If you’re one of the whopping 110 million Americans over age 50 — or a wise Millennial looking to get ahead — SmartAsset’s no-cost tool makes it easy to find vetted financial advisors who serve your area.

It’s never too late to work towards more radiant golden years. Take this quiz to see if you can retire comfortably.*

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News Notes

Playoffs

The Celtics rallied in Game Six last night to beat the 76ers, 95-86. It’s all down to Game Seven — score tickets to the final game in the second round series at TD Garden on Sunday, May 14.

Civic

Mayor Wu announced a pilot program with the Boston Public Library called “Browse, Borrow, Board” that connects riders at 20 bus stops to free digital content through August. Library cards are not required to browse and borrow audiobooks, eBooks, e-newspapers, and e-magazines while waiting for a bus using the QR code.

Number

$3.4 million. That’s the amount that Mayor Wu and the Office of Workforce Development allocated to 26 community-based organizations. The funds from the Neighborhood Jobs Trust will serve ~1,500 residents and support local organizations that provide low income residents with job training opportunities.

Travel

Chase announced it will open the first US Chase Sapphire Lounge at Boston Logan International Airport on Tuesday, May 16. The 11,600-sqft lounge is the first of its kind in the US and located near Gate B40 so travelers flying American, JetBlue, or United can have easy access. (CNN)

Community

The Copley Square Farmers Market reopens for the season today at 11 a.m. Stop by 139 St. James Ave. on Tuesdays and Fridays to shop over 30 vendors through November. Browse our guide to find seven other farmers markets to visit this summer.

Health

UMass Amherst researchers studying Lyme disease are working to develop a new drug therapy to treat tick bites with a $10 million grant from the CDC. Thousands of homeowners in New England can be part of the survey called Project ITCH about tick prevention and have their yards checked for free. (WCVB 5)

Ranked

No. 2. That’s where Boston ranked on Wallethub’s recent list of the best cities in the US for basketball fans. The study results were based on 21 key metrics, including the performance level of the Celtics and TD Garden’s accessibility + ticket prices.

Celebrate

We want to wish a happy birthday (on Sunday) to our teammate Sara, BOStoday City Editor. Happy birthday, Sara!

Holiday

How to win Mother’s Day? Send the mother figure in your life iconic meals and desserts from across the country with Goldbelly. Think: Ina Garten’s coconut cake, a New York bagel brunch kit, and a chef’s steak dinner for four. Yup, it’s all on Goldbelly.*

Plan Ahead

“Shake It Off” at these events

Save the date: Three Taylor Swift-themed events in Boston

We know “All Too Well” these events will book up fast. | Photo by @barilladanielle via 6AM City

We’re only one week away from when T-Swizzle herself arrives in Foxborough for three sold-out nights of “The Eras Tour.”

Leave a “Blank Space” on your calendar for one or more of these local events that will bring all the Swifties out.

Musical Bingo | Tuesday, May 16 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Castle Island Brewing, 31 Astor Ave., Norwood | Free to play | Enjoy a Lavender Haze hard seltzer cocktail and listen for your favorite Taylor tracks for bingo. Reservations are encouraged.

Taylor Swift Trivia | Wednesday, May 17 | 8-10 p.m. | Short Path Distillery, 71 Kelvin St., Everett | $5 | Gather your Eras team of up to six people. Doors open at 5 p.m. for themed cocktails

Pre-Show Party & Bejeweled Glow-Up Experience | Saturday, May 20 | 12-4 p.m. | High Street Place, 100 High St. | Free | Book your glow-up “Style” with goMLR and listen to the covers from Anna Daley Young.

Answered

Yesterday we asked “What kind of mom are you celebrating this year?” and here’s what you said:

Looks like Boston belongs to the sporty and foodie moms.

Break the tie

The Wrap

Jess Burton in a blue shirt and gold necklace

Today’s edition by:
Jessica

From the editor

You might have seen me at the Night Shift Beer Garden in Allston for opening day yesterday enjoying a Cereal Session — and yes, it does taste like Fruity Pebbles.

Pro tip: Don’t forget your stamp for the Summer Passport program when you visit any of the four Night Shift locations this summer. A completed passport will earn you a free Detroit-style pizza or appetizer + exclusive koozie.

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