Here are all the details you need for this Sunday's River Parade - whether you're in your boat or the Fun Bus, this is the launch of a great day on the Sydenham!
- River Parade, Colossal Duck paddle-past: Please dress up and decorate your boat! Bring music, bubble machines or anything to
heighten the excitement. The parade will launch from the West Side Boat Launch, which is just north of the Family Health Team medical centre. The giant duck will betethered to the harbour wall. Parade launch time is at 10:30 am sharp. Please allow plenty of time to park your vehicle and launch your vessel. Parking is available at the medical centre. Note that 1st Avenue West will be closed in front of the Marine Rail Museum, so access the Boat Launch from 13th or 14th Street West.
No motorized vessels in the parade please, but ensure your boat has a means of propulsion and a Personal Floatation Device for each boat occupant. If you start at the harbour, you will need to carry your boat over the Mill Dam. Volunteers will be available to help. If you don't want to carry your boat over the dam, you can launch at the dam above the spillway.
- The Mill Dam start is scheduled for 11:15 am. Limited parking is available on site. Shuttles run between the park and the harbour all day. Boaters with cars and trailers will be allowed into the park briefly to retrieve their watercraft. Best retrieval solution: paddle back to the Park's North Entrance -- it's a good pullout spot with easy vehicle access. See more parking details under Transportation below.
- Fun Bus: The Fun Bus is an opportunity to participate in the River Parade even if you aren't getting into a boat. It follows the Parade route from the start point at the Inner Harbour, to the waypoint at the Mill Dam, and then on to Harrison Park for the parade's Grand Arrival.
The Fun Bus will set off from in front of the Community Waterfront Heritage Centre (Marine Rail Museum) at 10:45. It is a five-minute walk along the harbour wall from the boat launch and parking areas to the bus.