SCHUYLKILL BANKS’ SUMMER EVENTS CELEBRATE THE HIDDEN RIVER

Summer in the city is getting a little bit cooler as Schuylkill Banks prepares to host some of the season’s most unique events.

Beginning on Thursday, June 9, Schuylkill Banks will mark the return of its popular River Tours, presented by SCA. Narrated, hour-long boat tours will showcase the rich history and exciting future of the Schuylkill River. Other tours will travel down the river to Bartram’s Garden where people can tour the national historic landmark house and botanic garden. In addition, Schuylkill Banks will also host two jazz cruises for passengers to sit back and relax while enjoying the sounds of wonderful live musicians and the sights of the Philadelphia skyline.

Schuylkill Banks Movie Nights will kick off for the season on Thursday, June 9, at dusk. Presented by CSX, this year’s theme is Heroes on the Banks and will include popular films including Hancock, Spider-Man and Iron Man. Free prizes, pretzels and popcorn will be available, and people are encouraged to bring their friends, families and picnic baskets. The movies will be screened every other Thursday night, under the Walnut Street Bridge.

For those seeking some urban adventure, Hidden River Outfitters Kayak Tours will launch on Saturday, June 11. These professionally-guided tours include trips from the Walnut Street Dock to the Fairmount Water Works and advanced paddles to Bartram’s Garden. There are even romantic moonlight tours, and two special tours that include a BBQ meal served on the Banks at the tour’s conclusion.

Schuylkill Banks’ 1.2 mile landscaped riverfront greenway will be the venue for the second annual, city-wide art event, Art in the Open, from Thursday, June 9 to Sunday, June 12. Forty artists were selected to participate in the tradition of creating en plein air, and will be working in a variety of media with Schuylkill Banks and the “Hidden River” as their inspiration. Visitors are welcome to watch them create their works, and many of the works will be for sale following the festival.

Coverage is invited for all Schuylkill Banks’ events. For more information, visit www.schuylkillbanks.org or call 215-222-6030 x103.

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