ILLUMINATED PARADE HENLEY
More details to follow in Spring 2023
Please register for updates
Saturday 16th September 2023
2022 REVIEWS
"Glowing Spectacle at First Illuminated
Boat Parade"
"The riverside and a flotilla of boats lit up the Henley Reach of the Thames on Saturday evening for the first Henley Illuminated Boat Parade."
THE 2022
EVENT
The Inaugural Illuminated Parade at Henley, on Sept 24th 2022, was a huge success. Nearly 50 boats took part, with very imaginative lighting, and up to 40 paddle boards.
The building and houses 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 2023 entries, upping their game!
SPONSORS
The event was privately funded by the Organisers in 2022.
Sponsor are sought for 2023. Opportunities are:
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The Trophies with sponsors name on
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The adverting 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
Post Event Award
Organisers Special Award
Lady Bea - Led Oar display
Best in Parade
Chris Langley’s Scarlet Lady - Theme ‘The Crown’ inspired by the the State funeral and the imperial State Crown that sat on the coffin. Music included various songs from marching bands, piles, choirs and Vera Lynn’s “We’ll meet Again”.
Runners-Up: The Henley Dragon Club’s ‘Dragonboat’, Captain Cat Cassell
Best Fancy Dress on Board
Carol Pontin’s Busy Lizzie, Theme Bumble Bees
Runner Up: Ross Elder’s Badger, Theme Three Bears
Best Music Boat
Karen Wade and The Henley Rowing Club, theme James Bond and the Royal Henley Rowing Corgis:
When their sound system broke, Karen, an ex Opera singer, sang Bond themes, but it was her Ave Maria which impressed the Music judge, Dhani Harrison.
Runner Up: Peter and Amanda Barron-Cutt’s boat Relaxing, Theme Abba
Best Unpowered Boat
Geoff Probert’s boat Molly, Theme Vikings
Runner Up: Nick Rudd’s Go with the Flow Paddleboarders
Best Lit Spectator
Ariana Shepherd.
2022 Judges
Our thanks to the Judges who volunteered their time and to our compere Mike Read.
Head Judge: Andy Trotman
Bethan Toop
Henley Mayor Michelle Thomas
Debbie McGee
Dhani Harrison
TAKING
PART
Any boat, any size, any age, powered or unpowered is welcome.
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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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
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!
THE CHARITIES
All the costs of the event in 2022 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 will be 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 directors reserve the right to seek sponsorship and recoup some costs in subsequent years if the event becomes an annual event.