Saturday 14th September 2024.
Provisional 2024 dates
ILLUMINATED PARADE HENLEY
Saturday 14th September 2024
Watch this space for updates.
THE 2023 EVENT
The Inaugural Illuminated Parade at Henley on Sept 16th 2023, was a huge success. We had 50+ boats take part, with very imaginative lighting.
The building and houses from the Bridge to Fawley Court were brilliantly and colourfully lit, and up to 2000 spectators watched the parade from both sides of the river and on the bridge.
A marvellous spectacle!
The organisers, Chris Taylor and Penny Palmano were thrilled with the turnout and would like to thank all those taking part who made such a huge effort and to thank those who came to watch.
It will have to be repeated next year.
Many entrants have said they are now planning their 2024 entries and upping their game!
SPONSORS
The event was privately funded by the Organisers in 2023.
Sponsors are sought for 2024. Opportunities are:
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The Trophies with the sponsor's name on
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Advertising on Social Media with credits
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Posters and town advertising with credits
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Projected adverts on some buildings
LIST OF
PRIZE WINNERS 2023
Post Event Award
Organisers Special Award
Twilight for ‘The Lionesses’
Runner Up: Paula for ‘Biggles Aeroplane’ owned by Ruth Cassidy
Best in Parade
Jeppo Kayak, owned by Peter Jepson
Runner Up: E133 Shirley Ann ‘Sailing Boat’ owned by Luke Breen
Best Fancy Dress on Board
Joint Winners Mermaids from Boka and Butterflies from Ratty
Runner Up: Flat Bottomed Girl ii
Best Music Boat
Scoopenhagen for Barbie
Runner Up: Coming Soon
Best Unpowered Boat
Sgian Dubh, owned by Ian Symons
Runner Up: Molly, owned by Geoff Probert
Best Lit Spectator
Beau and Grace
Introducing the 2023 Judges and Commentators!
Let's meet the remarkable individuals who added their magic touch to this year's parade:
Judges
Andy Trotman: A distinguished personality with an eye for excellence.
Dhani Harrison: A true artist with a keen sense of creativity.
Henley Mayor (Sarah Miller): Our esteemed local leader is providing an authoritative presence to the judging panel and leading the way.
Bethan Toop: A connoisseur of all things extraordinary.
Actor Simon Williams: Bringing his unique perspective to the panel.
🎤 Commentators🎤
DJ Mike Read: Keeping the energy high with his electrifying commentary.
Voice of Rowing Robert Treharne-Jones: Guiding us through the parade with his soothing voice.
Together, they made the Thames come alive with their expertise and enthusiasm!
TAKING
PART
Any boat, any size, any age, powered or unpowered is welcome. Sadly Paddle boards will not be able to enter.
It's not about how much you spend, it's about the creativity of the idea, see The Gallery for thoughts.
COMMUNICATIONS
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We will set up a Whats App group for registered entrants - entrants to give consent when they sign up for event.
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Please ensure the organisers have your mobile number.
ILLUMINATION RULES
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Craft must be safe for all aboard and others around them.
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We regret no paddleboarders this year, as we cannot get insurance for them.
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High power laser displays are not permitted.
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We are on the flight path and would need permits for lasers.
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Very low power lasers are OK but must be vertically facing only - Not into the crowd.
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Some people are sensitive to fast flashing lights, no strobes please.
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Craft must have no sharp edges or spikes.
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Illuminations should be soundly constructed and properly attached the the craft.
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Any devices should be waterproof in case of rain.
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Parade will take place regardless of weather conditions unless there are red boards in place or the river is in flood.
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No rockets, flares, naked flames or projecting fireworks.
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No untethered hot air balloons or lanterns (farms with cattle and crops surround the route).
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No floating naked flames to be released from any craft.
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Mooring after the Parade is downstream from Leander and will be marked, but craft may have to raft up so adequate fendering will be required.
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Please bring mooring spikes, there are no mooring rings.
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We know that plastic and other materials may be used in the decorations. Please ensure that no plastic can fall in the river and anything that may go in the river is entirely water soluble and non toxic.
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Fancy dress is encouraged, judges love themes.
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Remember to have uplighters so the judges can see the costumes.
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The more creative the better.
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Music is important, but remember that it may be loud on your boat, but make sure you have speakers facing the crowds
If you haven’t got a boat why not hire one! Click here to download details.
guide to entrants
HISTORY
The first parade was in Cookham in 2015 and was so popular it became an annual event, only postponed due to Covid. It has now been moved to Henley. In 2019 up to 40 boats attended with large crowds watching from the Riverbank and even pop up bars!
Organiser Chris Taylor is an inventor, and used to hold the event in Cookham when he lived there, but has moved it to Henley after relocating in 2020. He said: “I started this event in Cookham in 2015 when I thought it would be great to get a few lights on some boats and go down to the local pub.
“We had about 10 boats turn up for the first one and then it grew incrementally every year and became incredibly popular with people on both sides of the river, a pop-up bar and food stalls.”
THE CHARITIES
All the proceeds of each event will be donated by the organisers. All the boat entry fees except the mooring fees will be donated to the charities below without deduction.
If you would like to contribute to the charities, please click this link or donate on the night to the on-site collectors.
The Rivertime Trust
https://rivertimeboattrust.org.uk/
The Rivertime Boat Trust is a Multi Award–Winning Charity that offers disabled and disadvantaged adults, children and young people an opportunity to develop a long term involvement with the River Thames, by providing a safe, supportive and stimulating environment aboard the Charity's boat ‘Rivertime’.
LEANDER TRUST
The Leander Trust is a registered charity focusing on rowing and sculling. They aim to: advance the education of young people by helping with their physical education by the provision of facilities - including grant awards; enable and encourage rowing and sculling; and help with the provision of facilities for recreation for those who need such facilities because of their youth, social or economic circumstances.
Our thanks to the following:
THANKS
HOBBS
OF
HENLEY
THE
LEANDER CLUB
THE HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA
HENLEY
TOWN COUNCIL
THE
HENLEY STANDARD
henley
herald
THE ILLUMINATED PARADE LIMITED
A Limited Liability UK Company
Company number: 13851576
Registered Office. 54 Queen Steet, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 1AP
The Parade is organised by a privately owned UK limited company.
The Company’s only activity is to organise an ‘Illuminated Boat Parade’ at Henley on Thames.
All costs of the first year were covered by a donation from the shareholders
No fees or dividends are being paid to the directors or shareholders.
The event is organised specifically as a fund-raising event for charity.
All fees for entries collected via the website and on the night and any charitable donations at the event will be donated to the two chosen charities less the mooring fees that will be passed on to Hobbs Limited as collection agents for the mooring’s owners.
The organisers would welcome any sponsorship enquiries.
The directors reserve the right to recoup some costs as the event grows in size.