![]() With five children, the park was the perfect location for a small family business, and through the years, all of their children have worked there. When their family was young, the Days’ decided to sell the gondola business and focus on boating at Roger Williams Park. In 2004, they introduced 18 swan boats, in 2009 electric boats, in 2012 the Park’s first trackless train, and in 2015 their pirate ship. It was a challenge at first, getting the circa-1896 boathouse in ship shape, but these “never say never” types were up to the task, and have introduced improvements and new features along the way. ![]() When their first child was born and they were spending time at Women and Infants, Allen noticed the revitalization of Providence and thought, “What if we launched our gondolas here in Providence?” Allen was dubbed “Marco” as his gondolier name from his master in Venice, Italy and the business was launched.įrom 2002-07, the Days’ ran both the gondolas in Providence and the paddleboats in the park, calling on their expertise as a master electrician (Allen) and (Cynthia) business background. Allen and Cynthia launched Providence’s Venetian Gondola business down city in 1997 Allen was Providence’s original gondolier! They had first developed their idea in Marco Island, Florida, seeing the island’s waterways and canals. The Days’ first launched their boating business in downtown Providence. The Days’ simply want to make it a more unique and entertaining experience for visitors – though if you arrive early in the evening, you can get the Early Bird special (get it?), and avail yourself of an extra loop of sailing before the crowds arrive. There is no added fee to ride the Illuminated Swan Boats a night ride with lights costs exactly what you’d pay during their regular season. The center of their spidery operation is behind the historic Dalrymple Boathouse where Allen and Cynthia build these floating masterpieces and come up with new ways to entertain visitors each year. They began lighting up the swan boats and extending their season in 2009, coinciding with the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Zoo. While Indian summer fills the Park with visitors enjoying the last days of summer, Allen and Cynthia Days, who run the Swan Boats, have been hard at work behind the scenes, constructing the floating tunnels they’ll launch for the Illuminated Swan Boat nights this fall. Have you seen the gigantic spider that’s taken up residence in Roger Williams Park? The enormous arachnoid temporarily lives behind the Boathouse …
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