On Friday morning, May 12th, the Commissioners joined state and local officials including representatives from the rowing community to ring the opening bell for the 84th Annual Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta. For the first time in the event’s history, the regatta was moved from its typical venue at the Schuylkill River National Racecourse in Philadelphia to the renowned Cooper River Park rowing venue, which is home to many prestigious rowing events and boasts a world-class, Olympic-distance, 2000-meter narrow and sheltered straightaway.
“Hosting the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta is an incredible honor and privilege for us and for our internationally recognized racecourse at Cooper River Park,” said Commissioner Jeff Nash, liaison to the Parks Department.
Regattas inject more than $20 million a year into the Camden County regional economy as high school and collegiate rowers from all over the nation descend to the racecourse. The Rowan University School of Business estimated that the amount of money spent on hotels, shopping and dining has significant indirect and direct economic impact on the local marketplace.
The timing of the Dad Vail Regatta also aligned with the 100th anniversary of Cooper River Park. To celebrate this, Double Nickel Brewing Company of Pennsauken created a special commemorative beer that launched at the Dad Vail Welcome Kick Off Event at the Boathouse.