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 ten miles to the Southside Park! 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, Renny Redmond of Redmond’s Marine. 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.