Provided/2016 Nights in Ventnor Go Green Boat Parade.
VENTNOR – After a one-year hiatus, the Nights in Ventnor Go Green Boat Parade is back this year with renewed interest from volunteers and supporters.
“Our sponsors got on board early this year,” parade organizer Diane Birkbeck said. “They said. ‘We like this event and we want to see it happen.’”
Birkbeck said it takes approximately 70 volunteers to help the parade sail without a hitch.
“We have volunteers signed up to help put the boats in the water, do registrations, help get the boats out of the water at the dock and in safety boat patrols along the waterway,” she said.
The parade, which will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, is a fossil fuel-free floating craft parade through Inside Thorofare and West Canal. Water craft can be anything that floats, including kayaks, canoes, rowboats, stand-up paddle boards, inflatables, all powered with “green energy.”
Paddlers who dress in costumes are likely to raise a little controversy as themes are wide open this year, Birkbeck said. The judging stand is located at Derby Hall. Mayor Beth Holtzman and former Atlantic County Freeholder and Stockton Atlantic City Assistant to the Provost Alex Marino are among the judges.
The parade leaves from Ski Beach on Dorset Avenue and travels the inland waterway to the Viking Rowing Club’s Doc Holland boathouse where revelers will enjoy a barbeque, music and receive prizes donated by local vendors, including gift cards for restaurants, gym memberships, golf outings and more.
The prize for the 14 and under category is a new bicycle, she said.
“We want to make this a family-friendly event and get more younger kids involved,” she said.
The Gilda’s Club Dragon Boat will lead the flotilla.
Gilda’s Club Dragon Boat
In addition to promoting on of Ventnor’s greatest assets – the waterway – it is an opportunity to promote environmental issues, Birkbeck said.
Along with a T-shirt, participants will receive a free reusable shopping bag, so they can be ready for the 5-cent single-use plastic bag fee that will take effect in Ventnor on Oct. 1.
Proceeds of the event will allow the Ventnor City Green Team to purchase a mobile water filtering system that can be used at community events to reduce the need for single-use plastic bottles.
Homeowners who live along the waterway are encouraged to decorate their porches and decks and support the rowers as they paddle by. For those who can’t participate the best viewing stations are on the Dorset Avenue bridge and at the Ventnor City Public Works Building on Winchester and Cornwall avenues.
Participants can save on the cost of the entry fee by registering by the deadline at the close of business on Wednesday, Aug. 1.
Registration is $20 per person in advance, $25 on parade day starting at 3:30 p.m. Register three or more in a team and the fee drops to $15 per person, $20 on parade day. Children under 14 are free with a waiver signed by a parent/guardian. The U.S. Coast Guard requires children under 14 to wear a lifejacket. They are strongly recommended for everyone.
Registration forms and information are available at the Ventnor Heights Auto & Marine, 118 N. Dorset Ave., and AAAA Bike Shop, 5300 Ventnor Ave. Forms can also be downloaded from the NightsInVentnor.info
