PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Independence Day Regatta is set to take over the Schuylkill River for the next three days and more than 5,000 rowers are expected to compete in front of over 10,000 fans coming to Philadelphia.
This year’s race was postponed to after Independence Day to accommodate FIFA Fanfest and the other big events planned for the city in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
Schuylkill Navy’s Commodore Emeritus Bonnie Mueller said the city’s historic leaders envisioned the race as a great international event to help celebrate the centennial in 1876.
“I’ll remind you that that conversation took place 20 years before the modern Olympic games,” she said.
Philadelphia Parks Commissioner Susan Slawson said the three-day event is a great use of a public resource.
“It is tremendous to have so many young people on this water and the athletes competing on the national and international level,” said Slawson.
Among those young people is Maurice Scott, an Olympic hopeful who got his start at Philadelphia Community Rowing. He said the regatta captures the best of the city.
“The strongest boats don’t move because one person pulls harder than everyone else,” said Scott. “They move because every person is pulling together. That’s the Philadelphia I believe in.”
The World Cup and America 250 celebrations moved the race back on the calendar in 2026.
The World Cup and America 250 celebrations moved the race back on the calendar in 2026.
