CHELSEA — Kayaks and schooners and cruise ships, oh my!
Every shape and size of nautical vessel, from the tiniest canoe to the fanciest yacht, will be on display for the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance's Parade of Boats.
But for the first time in the event's three-year history, the public will be given an opportunity to watch the festivities for free from Pier 62 in Hudson River Park, complete with live narration identifying each kind of ship.
The parade is part of the MWA's Heroes of the Harbor Gala, which honors the city's waterfront leaders. Up until this year, only those at the gala dinner had prime viewing of the parade.
"This is a real signature event for the maritime community," said MWA director Roland Lewis. "One of the fun parts is to hear who owns each boat, what each boat's purpose is."
Each of the parade's 28 boats will take a bit of time to show off what they do best: the firefighter boats will put on a show with their water cannons, sailboats will speed along with the wind, and kayakers will wave their paddles in the air.
The parade kicks off at 6:00 p.m. on Tues, Oct. 11. The public can catch the festivities at Hudson River Park's Pier 62, at about 22nd Street and the Hudson.
