ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO PRE-REGISTER.

Let the good times flow during the Bayou Vermilion Boat Parade! This annual celebration of the Bayou Vermilion begins at Vermilionville and continues downriver for about four miles to the end point . Attendees can rent a canoe or kayak or bring their own paddle craft or motorized boat to join in the parade. The purpose of event is to increase awareness of the river as a viable source of recreation for Lafayette Parish citizens. In addition, we celebrate the efforts of Bayou Vermilion District to conserve and preserve sites along the river, trash/debris clean up and water quality management.

This year’s parade sets sail at 11:30 a.m. from Vermilionville with a celebratory toast by this year’s Grand Marshal. The parade proceeds 10.6 miles to BVD’s Southside Park. If you prefer a shorter journey, you can join the parade beginning at Camellia Boulevard Canoe and Kayak Launch and end at Southside Park, which is 5.0 miles.

***If you are renting a paddle craft from our facility, please email environmental @bayouvermiliondistrict.org to check on availability. You will need to claim your craft at Vermilionville when you arrive at 8 a.m. the day of the parade. Any unclaimed BVD vessels will be given to those on the waiting list beginning at 10:00 a.m.***

***We will enforce socially distancing while parade-goers are loading their watercraft. ***

We encourage you to decorate your boat and wear a costume! And, residents and businesses along the parade route are also encouraged to participate by decorating their yard, inviting friends and family over to watch the parade (please make your address visible from the bayou). There will be a contest for the best boat décor, the best costume worn, and the best yard decorations. Those that do not live along the parade route can watch the parade at Vermilionville, Beaver Park, Rotary Point or at the Camellia Bridge Canoe & Kayak Launch.

BOAT PARADE TIMELINE

8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.| Drop off your paddle craft or claim your rented vessel at Vermilionville’s boat corral (300 Fisher Road, Lafayette, LA 70508) then park your car at Southside Park on 2201 Robley Drive. As we are not allowed to provide shuttles, we suggest using the buddy system: leave one vehicle at Southside Park, drive one to the start at Vermilionville.

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Pre-Paddle Yoga Session led by Erin Segura

10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | Begin loading your craft into the water

11:30 a.m. | Parade departs Vermilionville led by Grand Marshal

11:45 a.m. – 1:20 p.m. | Drop-off vessels at Camellia Canoe & Kayak Launch for half parade option

2:15 p.m. | Parade departs Camellia Canoe & Kayak Launch led by Grand Marshal for Southside Park

4:30 | Best Costume, Best Yard, Best Decorated Boat Awards