Swiss and Italian Paddle Steamer Parades

Paddle steamer "  parades"
Several of Switzerland's paddle steamer operating companies have maximised the appeal of the traditional steamers in recent years by staging an assortment of steamer and naval parades with up to eight paddle steamers (sometimes augmented by motor vessels) sailing in formation Various 'excuses' have been used including:- a) re-entry into service of a paddle steamer withdrawn for a major rebuild b) regular events (eg annual fireworks displays) c) special events (including special paddle steamer important birthdays) and d) 'just for the sake of it' (eg publicity)
Future  " steamer parades" Follow links for further details of sailings, calling points, etc.
1st August 2024	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by all the operational paddle steamers and some motor vessels from Luzern to Brunnen for the fireworks display on Thursday 1st August
	Lake Neuchâtel	Fireworks parade by PS Neuchâtel and most of the motor vessels from Neuchâtel and other piers on Thursday 1st August
	Lake Thun	Annual evening evening parade by PS Blümlisalp and some motor vessels from Thun and other piers on Lake Thun on Thursday 1st August
Summary of recent  "steamer parades" Follow links for further details of sailings and calling points
26th May 2024	Lake Geneva	The annual pre-season 'publicity' naval parade off-Vevey on Sunday 26th May with the five operational paddle steamers
1st August 2023	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by four of the operational paddle steamers and some motor vessels from Luzern to Brunnen for the fireworks display on Tuesday 1st August
	Lake Thun	Annual evening evening parade by PS Blümlisalp and some motor vessels from Thun and other piers on Lake Thun on Tuesday 1st August
14th May 2023	Lake Geneva	The annual pre-season 'publicity' naval parade off-Moges on Sunday 14th May with all the operational paddle steamers
7th May 2023	Lake Neuchâtel	Re-dated special parade by PS Neuchâtel and the motor vessels from Neuchâtel and other piers on Lake Neuchâtel to mark "150 years of the LNM" on Sunday 7th May
1st October 2022	Lake Neuchâtel	Special lunchtime parade by PS Neuchâtel and the motor vessels from Neuchâtel and other piers on Lake Neuchâtel,  Lake Morat/Murten and Bienne/Biel to mark "150 years of the LNM" on Saturday 1st October - CANCELLED on the day due to gales
17th September 2022	Lake Luzern	Special evening parade by the five paddle steamers to mark 50 years of the Dampferfreunde (friends of the SGV) from Luzern on Saturday 17th September
16th September 2022	Lake Geneva	Special evening parade by three paddle steamers to mark 20 years of the ABVL (friends of the CGN) from Lausanne and Geneva on Friday 16th September
1st August 2022	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by three of the operational paddle steamers and just one motor vessel from Luzern for Brunnen on Monday 1st August
	Lake Thun	Annual evening evening parade by PS Blümlisalp and some motor vessels from Thun and other piers on Lake Thun on Monday 1st August
22nd May 2022	Lake Geneva	The annual pre-season 'publicity' naval parade off-Montreux on Sunday 22nd May with the seven operational paddle steamers
11th September 2021	Lake Luzern	Re-dated delayed special welcome back parade by all of the operational paddle steamers to mark the return to service of PS Stadt Luzern following her major re-build on Saturday 11th September
1st August 2021	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by the three of the operational paddle steamers and several motor vessels from Luzern depart 1945 for Brunnen on Sunday 1st August  although this year there were again no fireworks due to the Coronavirus precautions
	Lake Thun	Annual evening naval parade by PS Blümlisalp and some motor vessels from Thun and other piers on Lake Thun on Sunday 1st August
19th June 2021	Lake Zurich	CANCELLED   Both paddle steamers along with the now preserved mv Etzell were planned to operate a special redated parade from Zurich to the Obersee on Saturday 19th June to mark 50 years (1970-2020) of "Raddampfer Ahoi! Zurichsee,"  but this had to be CANCELLED due to the Coronavirus restrictions
1st May 2021	Lake Luzern	Postponed until 11th September 2021   Special delayed welcome back parade by all of the operational paddle steamers to mark the return to service of PS Stadt Luzern following her major re-build on Saturday 1st May
1st August 2020	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by the three operational paddle steamers and several motor vessels from Luzern depart 1945 for Brunnen on Saturday 1st August  although this year there were no fireworks due to the Coronavirus precautions
	Lake Thun	Annual evening naval parade by PS Blümlisalp and some motor vessels from Thun and other motor vessels from most other piers on Lake Thun on Saturday 1st August
20th June 2020	Lake Zurich	Postponed until 2021  but subsequently CANCELLED Both paddle steamers along with the now preserved mv Etzell were planned to operate a special parade from Zurich to the Obersee on Saturday 20th June to mark 50 years (1970-2020) of "Raddampfer Ahoi! Zurichsee,"  but this had to be CANCELLED due to the Coronavirus restrictions
24th May 2020	Lake Geneva	Postponed until 2021 but subsequently CANCELLED The annual pre-season 'publicity' naval parade off-Montreux was planned for Sunday 24th May with all the operational paddle steamers,  but this had to be CANCELLED due to the Coronavirus restrictions
1st August 2019	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by all the operational paddle steamers and several motor vessels from Luzern depart 1945 to the fireworks display at Brunnen on Thursday 1st August
	Lake Thun	Annual evening naval parade by PS Blümlisalp and some motor vessels from Thun and other motor vessels from most other piers on Lake Thun on Thursday 1st August
19th May 2019	Lake Geneva	The annual pre-season 'publicity' naval parade off-Rolle on Sunday 19th May with all the operational paddle steamers
16th September 2018	Lake Luzern	Special farewell parade by all the paddle steamers to mark the withdrawal of PS Stadt Luzern from service for a major re-build on Sunday 16th September
1st August 2018	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by all the paddle steamers and several motor vessels from Luzern depart 1945 to the fireworks display at Brunnen on Wednesday 1st August
	Lake Thun	Annual evening naval parade by PS Blümlisalp and some motor vessels from Thun and other motor vessels from most other piers on Lake Thun on Wednesday 1st August
20th May 2018	Lake Geneva	The annual pre-season 'publicity' naval parade took place off-Evian-les-Bains on Sunday 20th May with all the operational paddle steamers
1st August 2017	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by all the paddle steamers and several motor vessels from Luzern depart 1945 to the fireworks display at Brunnen on Tuesday 1st August
	Lake Thun	Annual evening naval parade by PS Blümlisalp and some motor vessels from Thun and other motor vessels from most other piers on Lake Thun on Tuesday 1st August
21st May 2017	Lake Geneva	The annual pre-season 'publicity' naval parade takes place off-Cully on Sunday 21st May with all the operational paddle steamers
13th May 2017	Lake Luzern	Special evening parade by all the paddle steamers to mark the entry into service of the new "MS 2017" on Saturday 13th May
1st August 2016	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by all the paddle steamers and several motor vessels from Luzern depart 1945 to the fireworks display at Brunnen on Monday 1st August
	Lake Thun	Annual evening naval parade by PS Blümlisalp and some motor vessels from Thun and other motor vessels from most other piers on Lake Thun on Monday 1st August
22nd May 2016	Lake Geneva	The annual pre-season 'publicity' naval parade took place off-Morges on Sunday 22nd May with all the operational paddle steamers
1st August 2015	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by all the paddle steamers and several motor vessels from Luzern depart 1945 to the fireworks display at Brunnen took place on Saturday 1st August
	Lake Thun	Annual evening naval parade by PS Blümlisalp and some motor vessels from Thun and other motor vessels from most other piers on Lake Thun took place on Saturday 1st August
24th May 2015	Lake Geneva	The annual pre-season 'publicity' naval parade took place off-Rolle on Sunday 24th May with all the operational paddle steamers
2nd May 2015	Lake Luzern	A pre-season "Parade" by all the operational paddle steamers is planned to take place on Saturday 2nd May
29th March 2015	Lake Zurich	To mark the 175 Years of the Company most of the fleet, including PS Stadt Zürich and seven motor vessels operated a special "Navel Review" starting from Zurich at 1420 on Sunday 29th March
1st August 2014	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by all the paddle steamers and several motor vessels from Luzern depart 2000 to the fireworks display at Brunnen took place on Friday 1st August
	Lake Thun	Annual evening naval parade by PS Blümlisalp and some motor vessels from Thun and other motor vessels from most other piers on Lake Thun took place on Friday 1st August
25th May 2014	Lake Geneva	The annual pre-season 'publicity' naval parade took place off-Vevey in front of an estimated crowd of 10,000 on Sunday 25th May with all the operational paddle steamers
23rd May 2014	Lake Zurich	A special jubilee parade took place on Friday 23rd May to mark the 100th birthday of PS Stadt Rapperswil
1st August 2013	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by all the paddle steamers and several motor vessels from Luzern depart 2000 to the fireworks display at Brunnen took place on Thursday 1st August
	Lake Thun	Annual evening naval parade by PS Blümlisalp and some motor vessels from Thun and other motor vessels from most other piers on Lake Thun on took place on Thursday 1st August
19th May 2013	Lake Geneva	The annual pre-season 'publicity' naval parade took place off-Nyon on Sunday 19th May with all the operational paddle steamers
18th May 2013	Lake Luzern	Special parade by all the paddle steamers and two older motor vessels from Luzern depart 1130 to mark the 100th Birthday of PS Gallia, also the 50th Birthday of mv Winkleried and the return to service of mv Schwyz after a major re-build on Saturday 18th May
25 August 2012	Lake Luzern	Special parade by all the paddle steamers commencing from various piers around the lake on Saturday 25th August to mark "175 Years of Steam Ships on Lake Luzern"
1st August 2012	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by all the paddle steamers and several motor vessels from Luzern depart 2000 to the fireworks display at Brunnen on Wednesday 1st August
20th May 2012	Lake Geneva	The annual pre-season 'publicity' naval parade took place off-Morges on Sunday 20th May with all the operational paddle steamers
1st August 2011	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by all the paddle steamers and several motor vessels from Luzern depart 2000 to the fireworks display at Brunnen on Monday 1st August
	Lake Thun	Annual evening naval parade by PS Blümlisalp and some motor vessels from Thun and other motor vessels from most other piers on Lake Thun on Monday 1st August
5th June 2011	Lake Geneva	The annual pre-season 'publicity' parade took place off-Rolle between 1400 and 1530 on Sunday 5th June with all the operational paddle steamers
14th May 2011	Lake Luzern	Special Naval Parade to mark the public re-entry into service of PS Unterwalden sailing round part of Lake Luzern along with the other four paddle steamers on Saturday 14th May
7th May 2011	Lake Luzern	Special charter parade to mark the re-entry into service of PS Unterwalden sailing round part of Lake Luzern along with the other four paddle steamers on Saturday 7th May
1st August 2010	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by all four operational paddle steamers and several motor vessels from Luzern depart 2000 to the fireworks display at Brunnen on Sunday 1st August
	Lake Thun	Annual evening naval parade by PS Blümlisalp and some motor vessels from Thun and other motor vessels from most other piers on Lake Thun on Sunday 1st August
26th June 2010	Lake Como	A special evening parade operated with PS Concordia and several of the motor vessels from Como and other lake piers to the fireworks display at Isola Comacina on Saturday 26th June
16th May 2010	Lake Geneva	The annual pre-season 'publicity' parade took place off-Morges between 1310 and 1500 on Sunday 16th May with the four operational driven paddle steamers and the one remaining operational motor paddle vessel
1st August 2009	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by all four operational paddle steamers and several motor vessels from Luzern depart 2000 to the fireworks display at Brunnen on Saturday 1st August
	Lake Thun	Annual evening naval parade by PS Blümlisalp and some motor vessels from Thun and other motor vessels from most other piers on Lake Thun on Saturday 1st August
27th June 2009	Lake Como	Special evening parade by PS Concordia and several of the motor vessels from Como and other lake piers to the fireworks display at Isola Comacina on Saturday 27th June
12th June 2009	Lake Zurich	To mark the 100th Birthday of PS Stadt Zürich both operational paddle steamers paraded from Zurich at 1800 on Friday 12th June
24th May 2009	Lake Geneva	The annual pre-season 'publicity' parade took place off-Rolle on Sunday 24th May with all five operational steam driven paddle steamers and the one remaining operational motor paddle vessel
1st August 2008	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by all five paddle steamers and several motor vessels from Luzern to the fireworks display at Brunnen on Friday 1st August
	Lake Thun	Annual evening naval parade by PS Blümlisalp and some motor vessels from Thun and other motor vessels from most other piers on Lake Thun on Friday 1st August
21st June 2008	Lake Como	Special evening parade by PS Concordia and several of the motor vessels from Como and other lake piers to the fireworks display at Isola Comacina on Saturday 21st June
25th May 2008	Lake Geneva	The annual pre-season 'publicity' naval parade took place off-Vevey on Sunday 25th May with all four operational steam driven paddle steamers and the one remaining operational motor paddle vessel
19th April 2008	Lake Luzern	A special parade took place on Saturday 19th April 2008 by all the paddle steamers departing Luzern at 1200 to mark the 80th Birthday of PS Stadt Luzern The five paddle steamers formed a star off-Weggis as well as other special formations
1st August 2007	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by all five paddle steamers and several motor vessels from Luzern depart 2000 to the fireworks display at Brunnen on Wednesday 1st August
	Lake Thun	Annual evening naval parade by PS Blümlisalp and some motor vessels from Thun and other motor vessels from most other piers on Lake Thun on Wednesday 1st August
23rd June 2007	Lake Como	Special evening parade by PS Concordia and several of the motor vessels from Como and other lake piers to the fireworks display at Isola Comacina on Saturday 23rd June
20th May 2007	Lake Geneva	The annual pre-season 'publicity' parade took place off-Morges between 1330 and 1500 on Sunday 20th May with all five steam driven paddle steamers and the one remaining operational motor paddle vessel
1st August 2006	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by all five paddle steamers and several motor vessels from Luzern depart 2000 to the fireworks display at Brunnen on Tuesday 1st August
	Lake Thun	Annual evening naval parade by PS Blümlisalp and two motor vessels from Thun and other motor vessels from most other piers on Lake Thun on Tuesday 1st August
24th June 2006/ 1st July 2006	Lake Como	FIREWORKS CANCELLED ----- bad weather   The special evening parade by PS Concordia and several of the motor vessels from Como and other lake piers to the fireworks display at Isola Comacina on Saturday 24th June was cut short due to a thunderstorm
		A second attempt the following Saturday was successful with a smaller number of ships, but still including the paddle steamer
30th May 2006	Lake Zurich	Despite the rain, a special 'mini-parade' took place on Tuesday 30th May at Zurich to mark the return to service of PS Stadt Rapperswil after her major re-build The paddle steamer was escorted from the Bürkliplatz at 1200 by her older sister PS Stadt Zürich to Rapperswil for a 45 minute "Schiffsballett"
21st May 2006	Lake Geneva	The annual pre-season NavalParade for the five steam driven paddle steamers accompanied by (what was now) the last operational motor paddle vessel took place on Sunday 21st May - this year off-Rolle
20th May 2006	Lake Geneva	A special 'mini-parade' operated on Saturday 20th May at Geneva to mark the return to service of PS Savoie after her major re-build The paddle steamer was escorted from Pâquis pier at 1200 by the two new high-speed motor vessels "Morges" and "Lavaux"
13th May 2006	Lake Luzern	A special parade was operated by the five paddle steamers to mark the 100th Birthday of PS Schiller on Saturday 13th May Unusually the paddle steamers started from different resorts and initially met at Weggis to parade to Flüelen
1st August 2005	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by all five paddle steamers and several motor vessels from Luzern depart 2000 to the fireworks display at Brunnen on Monday 1st August
	Lake Thun	Annual evening naval parade by PS Blümlisalp and two motor vessels from Thun also other motor vessels from most other piers on Lake Thun on Monday 1st August
25th June 2005	Lake Como	Special evening parade by PS Concordia and several of the motor vessels from Como depart 2000 (also other lake piers) to the fireworks display at Isola Comacina on Saturday 25th June
15th May 2005	Lake Geneva	The annual pre-season 'publicity' parade took place with the five operational steam driven and motor paddle vessels off Morges on Sunday 15th May
1st August 2004	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by all five paddle steamers and several motor vessels from Luzern depart 2000 to the fireworks display at Brunnen on Sunday 1st August
	Lake Thun	Annual evening naval parade by PS Blümlisalp and three motor vessels from Thun and other motor vessels from most other piers on Lake Thun on Sunday 1st August
3rd July 2004	Lake Brienz	Special evening Birthday Parade by PS Lötschberg and the 50 year old mv Jungfrau to celebrate the 90th birthday of the last paddle steamer on Lake Brienz departing from Interlaken at 1930 on Saturday 3rd July
26th June 2004	Lake Como	Special annual evening parade by PS Concordia and nine of the motor vessels (including the 100 year old ex-PS mv Milano) from Como and other lake piers to the fireworks display at Isola Comacina on Saturday 26th June Departure from Como was at 2000 similar to the previous year
9th May 2004	Lake Geneva	The annual pre-season Mothers Day 'publicity' parade took place on Sunday 9th May involving all of the operational steam driven paddle steamers which paraded off Nyon to mark 50 years of the "Museum of Léman" PS Montreux also celebrated her 100th birthday In view of the fact neither PS Simplon nor PS Savoie were available, both of the operational motor paddle vessels joined in to compensate
1st May 2004	Lake Luzern	Special parade to mark the re-entry into service of PS Gallia sailing round Lake Luzern along with the other four paddle steamers and two motor vessels on Saturday 1st May
1st August 2003	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by the FOUR operational paddle steamers and several motor vessels from Luzern to the fireworks display at Brunnen
	Lake Thun	Annual evening naval parade by PS Blümlisalp and several motor vessels from Thun and other lake piers round Lake Thun
28th June 2003	Lake Como	Special evening parade by PS Concordia and several of the motor vessels from Como and other lake piers to the fireworks display at Isola Comacina on Saturday 28th June
11th May 2003	Lake Geneva	The annual pre-season Mothers Day 'publicity' naval parade from Lausanne, Nyon and Geneva was operated by the five steam driven paddle steamers on Sunday 11th May This also marked the "130 years of the GCN" and "10 years of the Lausanne Olympic Museum"
15th August 2002	Lake Maggiore	C A N C E L L E D         (Paddle Steamer in dock) The annual evening parade by PS Piemonte from Arona (Italy) to the fireworks display at Lavino did NOT operate as the paddle steamer remained in dock throughout 2002 Click here for details of the sailing as originally advertised by the NLM
1st August 2002	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by the FOUR operational paddle steamers and several motor vessels from Luzern to the fireworks display at Brunnen
	Lake Thun	Annual evening naval parade by PS Blümlisalp and several motor vessels from Thun and other lake piers round Lake Thun
22nd June 2002	Lake Como	Special evening parade by PS Concordia and several of the motor vessels from Como and other lake piers to the fireworks display at Isola Comacina on Saturday 22nd June
12th May 2002	Lake Geneva	"Le Carrousel de la Harpe" Naval Parade a special pre-season Mothers Day 'publicity' parade from various lake piers by six paddle steamers leaving the Château de Rolle at 1445 for a 90 minute cruise including sailing round La Harpe island on Sunday 12th May
15th August 2001	Lake Maggiore	Annual evening parade by PS Piemonte and several of the motor vessels from Arona (Italy) and other lake piers to the fireworks display at Lavino
1st August 2001	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by all five paddle steamers and several motor vessels from Luzern at 2000 to the fireworks display at Brunnen
	Lake Thun	Annual evening naval parade by PS Blümlisalp and several motor vessels from Thun and other lake piers round Lake Thun
19th May 2001	Lake Geneva	PS Montreux re-entered service after a two-year re-build and operated a Maiden Voyage for invited guests only from Lausanne - this was supported by a naval parade with the other four paddle steamers All five paddle steamers departed Lausanne at 1200 and paraded round the Upper Lake to arrive Montreux at 1550 on Saturday 19th May
15th August 2000	Lake Maggiore	Annual evening parade by PS Piemonte and several motor vessels from Arona (Italy) and other lake piers to the fireworks display at Lavino
1st August 2000	Lake Luzern	Annual parade by all five paddle steamers and three motor vessels from Luzern to the fireworks display at Brunnen
	Lake Thun	Annual evening naval parade by PS Blümlisalp and several motor vessels from Thun and other lake piers round Lake Thun
30th April 2000	Lake Geneva	Naval parade to mark the re-entry into service of PS Rhône round the Little Lake near Yvoire along with the other three motor vessels which were all damaged during the hurricane Lothar on 26th December 1999
15th April 2000	Lake Luzern	Special parade to mark the re-entry into service of PS Schiller round Lake Luzern along with the other four paddle steamers
15th August 1999	Lake Maggiore	Annual evening parade by PS Piemonte and several motor vessels from Arona (Italy) and other lake piers to the fireworks display at Lavino
26th April 1998	Lake Geneva	Naval parade by all eight paddle steamers round the Little Lake near Yvoire
19th April 1998	Lake Geneva	Naval parade by all eight paddle steamers round the Upper Lake near Montreux
30th April 1994	Lake Luzern	Special parade to mark the re-entry into service of PS Uri round Lake Luzern along with the other four paddle steamers

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