Diner en Blanc 2019 – Post Update 8/23 – Boat House Row PHOTOS

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Photo Credit Minh Cao - du soleil photographiejpg

25-Georgi Anastasov Photography-0T0A3787

Photo Credit Minh Cao - du soleil photographie1

Georgi Anastasov Photo

Press Updates from PHILLY PR GIRL:

Philadelphia, PA (August 23, 2019)— More than 6,000 guests descended upon Le Dîner en Blanc – Philadelphia at the iconic Boathouse Row last night. This was the eighth edition in the City of Brotherly Love and the largest Dîner en Blanc gathering in the country this year.  Guests had the opportunity to explore one of the city’s most iconic landmarks while mingling among fellow Philadelphians dining. 

The iconic landscape of Boathouse Row on the east bank of the Schuylkill River in Fairmount Park is known not only throughout all of Philadelphia, but nationwide and globally.

Home to twelve rowing clubs from which four of the city’s universities also compete, “Boathouse Row” is maintained by the individual clubs who together are members of the Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia.  

Paul Horvat, who currently leads the Schuylkill Navy as Commodore, offered, “We’re so excited to welcome the thousands of Diner En Blanc members and their guests to Boathouse Row.  We hope that many might be inspired during the night to return to check out rowing themselves or help us spread the word throughout the city of the great opportunities that exist for our city’s youth students, adaptive athletes, and citizens of every age.”

The Schuylkill Navy’s newest member – Philadelphia City Rowing (PCR) – serves as the team for the Philadelphia School District and rows from the most downriver location.  Free to every student in the city’s public and charter schools, PCR’s year-long programs- like the many “Learn to Row” programs offered for both adults and youth by various clubs  – provide an avenue to get on the water and in a boat even for those who might not be from a collegiate rowing program.  

Bonnie Mueller,  who serves as Vice Commodore, added, “As rowers, one thing we understand intuitively is the idea that what you can accomplish together is far greater than that which you can do alone or even as individual parts.  So, Diner En Blanc makes sense to us. Just as we feel daily on the river, there’s something magical and truly special about coming together as a “crew.” Together, especially when everyone blends in unison and becomes a seamless “one,” the experience is transformational.”

“The number eight plays a significant role in competitive rowing.  The “rowing eight” is the largest of the boats and takes eight rowers, working in unison, to succeed,” said Le Dîner en Blanc – Philadelphia co-host Natanya DiBona. “So, it was fitting to pick Boathouse Row for our eighth location, particularly because the event relies on the hard work of everyone- planning team members, volunteers and all 6,000 participants to make Diner en Blanc Philadelphia a success.”

About Le Dîner en Blanc – Philadelphia Le Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia debuted in the City of Brotherly Love on Thursday, August 23, 2012. Co-hosts Natanya DiBona and Kayli Moran worked with a six-person volunteer planning team from April to August to make the first event happen. 30 Table Leaders and on-site volunteers led 1,300 guests to the surprise location, Swann Fountain at Logan Circle. Seven events later, the event has grown to over 5,500 attendees, and will again be the largest event in the US this year. Over 150 volunteers were necessary to bring participants to the 2018 location, City Hall and Paine Plaza. Guests traveled by a variety of methods including by foot, subway and chartered buses to enjoy an evening of dinner, dancing and entertainment that included close to 100 performers. Year after year, the volunteer team is passionate about the experience they create for our guests and they look forward to delivering another great event in the summer of 2019.