In 2023, the historic Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta crossed the Delaware River from Philadelphia to New Jersey.
It seems this historic event will remain in the Garden State for another year on the Cooper River. Camden County officials announced Thursday, July 6, that the 85th edition of the largest and most important rowing event in the United States will take place on May 10-11, 2024.
“We are pleased to return to the Cooper River to host the 85th anniversary of the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta,” said Joe Hanna, Chairman of the Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee, in a written communication. “The transition to the Cooper River went smoothly and was very welcoming thanks to the park and county officials.”
The varsity rowing event traditionally took place on Philadelphia’s Schuylkill River, but organizers moved them in 2023 because of a dredging project that would be taking place on the river.
In the announcement of the 2024 race, they did not offer details about the dredging that would be carried out in the Philadelphia river.
“With significant investment and improvements over the last 20 years, Cooper River Park and our Olympic home of rowing have become one of the best racetracks in the country and the world. With that being said, we are ecstatic to welcome one of the most famous regatta in the country, the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, for the second year in the park.As we continue to grow the sport of rowing and honor its time-honored traditions, the relocation of this great regatta underscores all that Camden County has to offer to offer as a regional destination,” said Camden County Commissioner Jeff Nash.
The county established that the 2023 regatta attracted more than 30,000 spectators during the weekend that the event took place, in addition there was a million-dollar injection into the local economy.
“Regatta season contributes more than $20 million annually to our local economy based on the influx of visitors who patronize our community of small businesses. I have no doubt that the rowers, families and fans will contribute to that when we see them again in early May 2024,” Nash said.
On the official website, the regatta was billed as, “America’s largest college regatta, with more than 100 colleges and universities from across the United States and Canada. Thousands of student athletes gather to compete over the weekend. of the second Saturday of May”.
Also adjacent to the river where the regatta will take place is Cooper River Park, which has a playground, a softball field, a cross country court, the Camden County Golf Academy, the Yacht Club Cooper River, two bike trails, Jack Curtis Stadium, a track, picnic areas, a bocce ball court, and other attractions for visitor enjoyment.
