• Title: Floating on the Bayou
• Category:Default
• Date: October 28, 2014

Vermilionville hosted its third annual Boat Parade today.

The parade was in honor of Griff Blakewood, a UL Lafayette Professor and strong community activist in Lafayette.

Residents from all around Acadiana sailed into the Vermilion River to float the five mile trek down from Vermilionville to Ruffinos on the River.

Over two hundred boaters participated in today’s event, helping raise awareness for all activites the Vermilion River has to offer recreationally.

Tina Burnett, a paddle boater, floated the Vermilion River with her friends for the first time today. She told KATC, “I think it is probably underutilized. It would be nice to see more people actually use it.”

“It was really neat to see Lafayette from the river,” Emily Huvall a kayaker said.

As some paddle down the river for sport, others utilize the time for family bonding.
Keith Guidry and his son, William, broke in their new canoe in the Vermillion today. “It is going to be one of those father son relationships that we can do for the rest of our life. This will be the first of many trips down this river it is only five minutes away from home,” Keith told KATC.

All proceeds made during the festival go towards the Bayou Vermilion District’s efforts to preserve the Vermillion River.

The Bayou Vermilion District has worked for over 30 years to keep the waters of the bayou clean, so that everyone can enjoy a good, clean time.