Pennsylvania Coast Day will mark the beginning of the WHYY Connections Festival on September 7, from noon to 5 p.m., outside the Independence Seaport Museum at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia.

Pennsylvania Coast Day will feature a variety of marine-themed activities the entire family can enjoy at no cost.  This includes a limited number of narrated tours aboard the RiverLink Ferry and paddling excursions around Penn’s Landing Marina in a kayak, swan boat or both. 

Other attractions on the water will include the Pennsylvania Tug Boat Festival at 1 p.m. and tours of both fireboats and an oil-spill response boat throughout the day.

Activities abound for kids at Pennsylvania Coast Day.  These will include costumed characters, face painting, kite making, lots of prizes, an opportunity to meet Coastie the Safety Boat robot, a remote-controlled, model-ship regatta and more.

“We work hand in hand with the many exhibitors at Pennsylvania Coast Day to preserve and protect the Delaware River, so events like this can be possible,” said Lisa Wool, program director at the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.  “Seeing the people of Philadelphia enjoy the river and all it has to offer, it’s a very gratifying feeling for us.”

Festival goers can also board a free shuttle bus for a round trip tour of the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, a free museum near Boathouse Row devoted to Philadelphia’s historic waterways.  Here, they can fly their Coast Day kites at a Kite Festival and explore the historic Fairmount Water Works and Schuylkill River.  They can also compete in the Philly Fun Fishing Fest from 7 to 11 a.m. before boarding a shuttle bus bound for Pennsylvania Coast Day at noon.

Other attractions are also within easy walking distance of Pennsylvania Coast Day, such as the Independence Seaport Museum and, just across the river, Adventure Aquarium.  And when Coast Day comes to a close, visitors can stay at Penn’s Landing, where free concerts will take place Saturday evening and all weekend long.  This includes five musical acts on Saturday alone, culminating with They Might Be Giants.

Sponsors for this event include the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Pennsylvania Coastal Resources Management Program, and the Philadelphia Water Department.

For additional information, or to become an exhibitor,  visit the 2013 Pennsylvania Coast Day webpage or contact Cheryl Jackson at (800) 445-4935, extension 112, or send email to: CJackson@DelawareEstuary.org.

8/26/2013