It’s officially been a year since Boathouse Row received its “glow up“, and now it’s time for a celebration.
On March 7, 2024, Philadelphia’s iconic landmark received a $2.1 million upgrade to its previous light system through a partnership from Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. The upgraded system is capable of 16 million possible color combinations, including motion patterns that make the lights “dance and sparkle.”
The lights first debuted in the city back in 1979, and the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. In 2005, Boathouse Row switched over to LED Lighting, and the next update came in 2023 when plans for that recent upgrade went into effect.
As a release notes, to commemorate the one-year anniversary, the Park Conservancy and Parks & Recreation will display a brief light show this Friday, March 7. The lights, similar to the illumination one year ago, will sparkle and change during a five-minute lighting demonstration at 7 p.m., which will play again every hour, on the hour, until midnight.
Since March of 2024, FPC has been able to raise over $50,000 from 40 partnerships to light Boathouse Row. The partnerships ranged from team ups with the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, Drexel University, Philadelphia Police Foundation, Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia, and all of the major sports teams including the Philadelphia Eagles (especially during their victorious Super Bowl run). There were even more personal partnerships such as weddings and even a gender reveal.
In fact, any Philadelphian can book the Boathouse Row Lights for special events, holidays, sponsored shows, and individual requests, with fees going directly to the ongoing maintenance of them. As a release notes, anyone interested can become a Boathouse Row Lighting Partner to put a special cause in the city’s spotlight or to celebrate a personal milestone. Pricing varies for nonprofits and private companies and also depends on the complexity and duration of the display.
Ongoing inspections and minor repairs have used some of those funds throughout the year to keep the lights burning bright, and will continue to do so.
To find out more information, visit myphillypark.org
