Bayou Vermilion District’s
2023 Bayou-Fest and Boat Parade!
Saturday, Sept. 30
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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 Southside Park!
Attendees can rent a canoe or kayak, or bring their own paddle craft or motorized boat to join in the parade. We get together on the Bayou every year 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, KADN’s Al Hebert! The parade, serenaded by the New Natives Brass Band, proceeds 10.6 miles down river 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.
The Bayou Vermilion Mini-Fest at Southside Park begins at 3 PM, with music from Ask for Ashley PLUS games, food by La Cuisine de Maman, beverages, and beer!
CLICK HERE to register for the parade and/or rent a vessel.
Contests!
What would the Bayoufest & Boat Parade even be without some contests?
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Costumes, costumes, costumes! This one is about costumes! Dress your best, or your absolute worst, for a chance to win this highly coveted award! This could be you or your whole crew!
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Make your boat your float! In our parade, the boat is it. Bring the party to your pirogue, and maybe your bateaux is the best-dressed this year!
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House Par-tay! The Boat Parade is a great day for a yard party, and the BVD is ready to reward you for your efforts! Decorate as you like, make sure that your address is visible from the bayou, and as our team of highly-trained outside decoration experts travel down the bayou, we’ll have our eyes on your space!
2023 Timeline!
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.
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
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Bayou Vermilion Mini-Festival at Southside Park| Music by Ask for Ashley, food by La Cuisine de Maman, beverages, beers, games, and more!
3:00-6:00 Music in the park!