(Pennsauken, NJ) – After the 84th annual Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta was hosted at Cooper River Park for the first time in May, the event’s organizing committee has announced the regatta will return next year to stage its 85th anniversary on Friday, May 10, 2024, and Saturday, May 11, 2024.
For the first time in the event’s history, the 2023 regatta was moved from its typical venue at the Schuylkill River National Racecourse in Philadelphia to Cooper River Park in Pennsauken, which is home to many prestigious rowing events and boasts a world-class, Olympic-distance, 2000-meter narrow and sheltered straightaway.
“With significant investment and enhancements over the last 20 years Cooper River Park and our Olympic rowing venue has become one of the best true racecourses in the nation and the world,” said Camden County Commissioner Jeff Nash. “With that said, we are ecstatic to welcome back one of the most renowned regattas in the country, the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, for its second year at the park. As we continue to grow the sport of rowing and respect its time-honored traditions the relocation of this great regatta underscores everything Camden County has to offer as a regional destination.”
This year’s event brought more than 30,000 visitors to the park over the weekend and injected millions of dollars into the local economy.
“The regatta season brings more than $20 million annually into our local economy based on the influx of visitors who patronize our small business community,” Nash continued. “There is no question in my mind that the rowers, families and fans will contribute to that when we see them again in early May of 2024.”
Joe Hanna, president of the Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee, said the group is excited to stage its anniversary event on the Cooper River next year.
“We are pleased to return to the Cooper River to stage the 85th Anniversary of the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta,” Hanna said. “The transition to the Cooper River was made seamless and very welcoming thanks to the park and county officials.”
Cooper River Park encompasses 346 acres through Pennsauken, Cherry Hill, Collingswood and Haddon Township. In addition to the boathouse, the park’s amenities include: a children’s playground with pavilions, a softball field, a cross country course, the Camden County Golf Academy, the Cooper River Yacht Club, two bike trails, Jack Curtis Stadium, a track, picnic areas, a bocce court and more.