The 7th Annual Tidal Schuylkill Boat Parade is Free and Everyone is invited! The parade is a part of the Bartram’s Garden River Fest and will be Saturday June 3rd 12pm – 2pm.
Everyone may be part of parade. No registration is necessary. All you need is a costume and something that floats. If you don’t have something, ask around. You’d be surprised who has an old canoe or raft or giant inflatable alligator in their basement. Trophies with will be awarded for the most fabulous costumes, leakiest boat and everything in between.
Paraders with Boat(s): Load-in will start at 11 am , under the train bridge just east of the intersection of 51st St & Botanic Ave. The entrance to the load-in and parade parking area is 51st Street and Grays Avenue. (SEE MAP) Wear shoes you don’t mind getting muddy, as the load in area is muddy. There will be volunteers on hand to help and there is plenty of room for parking (SEE MAP).. Bring some water to drink, it’ll be hot!
Paraders without Boats: If you would like to be in the parade, but have no river craft, there will be free rowboats and kayaks available on a first come, first served basis from the Public Dock located at the base of the Bartram’s Garden meadow. Excursions are limited to 30 minutes.
Spectators: Come! The parade loves an audience! The parade is happening as part of the Bartram’s Garden River Fest, 11am – 3pm, where there will be food, music, pony rides, a farmer’s market, free bike rentals, face painting, free kids activities and more! If you are driving to the event, parking is $5. There is plenty of free bike parking and we’re located at the 54th Street stop on the #36 trolley line.
Parade Route: There will be a procession at 12pm to begin, but after that – wherever you want, it’s your parade!
Just some things you should expect to see at the parade:
Floating Ice Cream Parlor: Little Baby’s Ice Cream will be dishing out FREE ice cream to paraders from the water.
DJ Jay Plus will be playing parade tunes from the Wetlands Boat.
A fleet of Philadelphia Waterborne rowboats will lead the procession. All the boats were handbuilt and handpainted by Philadelphia public school students.
Awards : The award ceremony will take place on water, from the Wetlands Boat at 2pm!
Important: This is a parade of friends and neighbors. The parade is YOU! So please help each other out, make it up as you go along, enjoy yourselves.
There are only TWO RULES. (1)If you are on the river, you need a lifejacket. You need to have one for each person in your boat/floating piece of trash. We will have a few extras, however if you have them, bring them! (2) No motorized boats, please!
Thanks everyone!! You’re great!!
Questions? Email Danielle Redden at danielle@bartramsgarden.org
Tidal Schuylkill Boat Parade 
