The Urban Divers Estuary Conservancy will host a Flotilla Masquerade — a unique eco-cruise along the Gowanus Canal to Red Hook for the 15th Annual Red Hook Waterfront Arts Festival Eco-Cruise, June 7.
Flotilla crew and participants will all be decked in renaissance and period costumes to attend the “Annual Gowanus Canal Ferry Boat to the 15th Annual Red Hook Waterfront Arts Festival Eco-Cruise.”
Don’t have a costume, can’t come up with a creative solution? No worries — participants can loan you a costume for the journey on site. A required life preserver, which the organization will provide, must fit beneath all costumes.
The eco-cruise will be held aboard the Urban Divers’ not-for-profit 32-foot Indian shipping canoe, which accommodates 21 paddlers at a time. The guided eco-cruise with travel the entire length of the historic canal onto Gowanus Bay, to the Lower Bay, around the Erie Basin and Hook to the Valentino Beach, where the festival takes place.
Once arrived at the festival, participants can enjoy fun-filled activities for the whole family. The Urban Divers will also host its “Under Da Big TiPi’ event, with environmental and maritime exhibits, including a giant ceremonial tipi that promises more additional excitement.
Residents are needed to volunteer with the Urban Divers on June 6 to help setup exhibits and the tipi, as well as get priority seating and first choice on costumes for the Flotilla Masquerade.
The 15th Annual Arts festival on the waterfront is organized by Dance Etcetera (www.dtetc.org). The festival also features performances by Akil Saan, Amayo’s Fu- Arkist-Ra, Jollyship, The Wiz-Bang, Calpulli Danza Mexicana, Paradizo Dance, and the DJ Oja Dance Party, as well as green events and activities, community resource tables, and free cultural workshops.
Advance registration is required for the Ferry Boat Flotilla Masquerade eco-cruise. To register for the eco-cruise and to volunteer, call The Urban Divers at 718-802-9874 or 347-224-5828.
