Head of the Schuylkill Among Cancelled Philly Events

The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta is among the events that were cancelled by the city of Philadelphia Tuesday when it announced that all large outdoor events were banned through February.

According to HOSR executive director Jennifer Wesson, the decision was made to cancel the regatta Monday after talking with city officials about their plans to ban all large public events into early next year.

“I have to say that this is where we thought we would be earlier this year,” Wesson said. “We have been planning a number of different scenarios over the last few months. We were hoping to have a singles only regatta, possibly a masters only regatta, but at this point in time, based on the current conditions and forecasts, and forever changing information, it was difficult to see a way forward without losing the spirit of the regatta.

“We talked with the city yesterday, and we were happy that they stepped up and made a decision.

Wesson said plans are being made to hold a virtual regatta. “So, we will have a virtual race and if you’re one of those that are able to participate on an erg, there will be live race times during HOSR weekend. Then we will set up, typical to what others are doing right now, participation for runs and bikes, and making it inclusive event,” she said.

“We are going to make an announcement in the next couple of days about there being no on site regatta, and details to come on a virtual, inclusive event.”

Though not listed in the original news reports, the fall regattas, including the Head of the Schuylkill and Navy Day Regatta, were expected to be among those eliminated along with all other any large outdoor events through February, including the Philadelphia Marathon, Thanksgiving Day Parade, and iconic New Year’s Mummers Parade, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.