Bayou Vermilion Festival & Boat Parade

September 23, 2023
Vermilionville

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.

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 Renny Redmond

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

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Bayou Vermilion Mini-Festival at Southside Park ( due to social distancing) | Food by La Cuisine de Maman, beverages (including our special Floatilla Ale by Bayou Teche Brewing,) games, and more!

4:00-6:00 p.m. Music in the park with Terry and the Zydeco Bad Boys!

6:00 p.m. BayouFest ends for 2021, see ya on the water soon!