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Venetian Night Parade of Boats

In response to a request made by Mayor Richard J. Daley in 1959, the Chicago Yachting Association organized Chicago's First Venetian Night Parade of Boats. Colonel Riley, who at that time headed what is now The Mayor's Office of Special Events, met with representatives from a majority of the Chicago yacht clubs, and together created a Venetian Night to match the splendor of Chicago's beautiful lakefront. Mayor Richard J. Daley expressed his appreciation to the participating boats on November 10, 1959 with these words:

"Chicago is blessed with a lakefront which affords facilities for boating unsurpassed anywhere in the United States. We must develop these to their maximum potential. Our yachtsmen have joined enthusiastically when called upon to support those civic programs which their participation made spectacular…"

Today, Venetian Night features a fleet of over thirty boats, both power and sail, and is held annually in Monroe Harbor. The beautiful and imaginatively-decorated fleet of boats is led, then and now, by King Neptune. As the parade of boats concludes its appointed route through Monroe Harbor, the city's most dazzling array of fireworks begins as a fitting finale to this extravaganza.

Who Can Participate in the Venetian Night Parade of Boats?
Participation is open to any boatowner moored in the Chicago Harbor System. Membership in a Chicago-area yacht club is not required.

How Can I Participate?
To register or to obtain more information about Venetian Night, please address an e-mail to:
info@chicagoyachtingassociation.org.