PHOTO BY DAVE DICELLO

Do you remember where you were when a giant, floating rubber duck arrived in Pittsburgh?

Eleven years ago this week, Florentijn Hofman’s floating art installation overtook Pittsburgh’s three rivers on Sept. 27, 2013.

Pittsburgh was the first U.S. city to receive the duck as part of “The Rubber Duck Project,” and the Steel City had great cause for celebration.

Local businesses fed into the waterfowl frenzy, offering a variety of duck-themed meals, cocktails, pastries and mini duck mementos. “Wok & Grill at Fifth Avenue Place will give you a free eggroll (with duck sauce, of course) when you tell them you’re ‘feeling ducky,’” Pittsburgh Magazine staff wrote ahead of its arrival in September 2013.

The duck’s arrival kicked off the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts, and a Rubber Duck Bridge Party closed off the Roberto Clemente Bridge from traffic to accommodate the crowds of Pittsburghers eager to catch a glimpse of the yellow giant amongst the festivities.

Speaking of bridges — the city had to request a custom-sized duck to ensure bridge clearance. But even with alterations, the rubber visitor registered at a respectable 40 feet tall and three stories wide.

Following a tour of the city, the duck established a semi-permanent residence near Point State Park in the Allegheny River, where he was stationed for three weeks before traveling to his next destination.

Sadly, the ducky Pittsburgh once knew has long passed. The floating art installation met an unfortunate fate after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan upon its arrival later in 2013. Attempts to reinflate resulted in the explosion of the duck’s rear.

Farewell, good friend. Pittsburgh misses you.