Chicago Venetian Night

[John New]

Hi

Do any Chicago sailors have any advice on where to watch the Venetian Night boat parade amd fireworks from the water? Any good place to anchor?

Thanks

 

[Ken]

You can't see the boats from the water

Been there done that. Best place to be is on the shore between the Monroe Harbor tender dock and the planetarium - be sure to get there a couple of hours early before the crowds arrive. The only place you MIGHT be able to see the boats is right outside the Monroe harbor entrance, but I think they keep boats away from there anyway because of the fireworks barge.

 

[John N]

Thanks...

I kinda thought so, but it's good to have the voice of experience

John

 

[Grizz]

Mooring ball...

...an option, but the Harbormaster will have his runabouts out checking stickers and charging the transients. Plus, all the good viewing first couple of rows will (probably) be gone very early.

If you know someone that moors in the first couple rows you can raft off, but the runabouts will charge just like it's a solo mooring.

Fireworks after the parade are well worth the trek...

 

[Ken]

Grizz, can you see the boats from where your at?

Where we are (SC9) all you can see is the undecorated side of the boats. Is there someplace where you can see the decorated side? I guess close up to the wall you might get a view. We watch the fireworks from the shore as well since they don't run the tenders until after the FWs.

 

[Grizz]

Front row, at the turn...

...by CYC. NP-3 affords a view of the front displays after they've passed and we see plenty, up close, of the behind the scenes stuff as they pass by @ 20+ feet to our west.

It's a bit of a hassle afternoon, lots of commotion in the harbor, well worth the time spent to drag the dinghy off the palisade so guests aren't tied to the tender schedule, which is always mayhem, especially after the fireworks are over.

appears to be a good forecast for today. Enjoy your day/evening.