Plus, Kowloon is expanding
 
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Today’s Forecast

57º | 20% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:11 a.m. | Sunset 7:21 p.m.
 

Swan Boats return for the season

Boston’s historic Swan Boats return for 2024 season
The Swan Boats were dedicated as a Boston landmark in 2011. | Photo by @littlerandomhappiness
The Swan Boats were dedicated as a Boston landmark in 2011. | Photo by @littlerandomhappiness
One of our favorite signs that the seasons are changing and spring has arrived is the return of the Swan Boats to the Boston Public Garden lagoon. These floating beauties date back to the 1870s and have seen many changes over the years, however the same family continues the summer pastime for all Bostonians.

The Paget family began this rowing business when Robert Paget was granted a boat license and started with a small boat in the Public Garden lagoon. Later in the decade, Robert drew inspiration from a catamaran-style boat designed to sit atop two pontoons, which allowed passengers to sit on benches in front of the captain like we see today.

Where did the swans come from?
To move the early version of this boat around, the conductor used a foot-propelled device (think: a bicycle attached to a paddle wheel). To cover this contraption from view, Robert designed a swan after attending the opera Lohengrin in New York City.


BOS-Swan-Boats-2024

This year marks the 147th season for the Swan Boats.

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Photo by @_shutterart_

In 1914, the boats were expanded in size to five benches that would accommodate 20 passengers per boat. The current fleet includes boats built between 1910 and 1992 and features oak benches + signature ornamental brass.

They are pretty famous, and not just to Bostonians. The swan boats are mentioned in Robert McCloskey’s children’s picture book “Make Way for Ducklings.”

Today, the swan boats are open from early April to late September and run by fourth generation members of the Paget family. Guests can purchase tickets for 15-minute rides seven days a week around the lagoon. The trip around the pond is about one-quarter mile and in one day a driver can navigate 7+ miles.

Save the date: the first ride of the season will take off on Saturday, April 13 at 10 a.m.
Asked

What year did the newest Swan Boat launch?

The oldest and smallest boat in the fleet just celebrated its 114th season, while the newest was launched in what year?

A. 1971
B. 1993
C. 1985
D. 2002
Float your answer
Raleigh Economic Development
 
Events
Wednesday, April 10
  • Nicki Minaj | Wednesday, April 10 | 8 p.m. | TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston | Prices vary | See the “Super Bass” star perform hits from “Pink Friday.”
Thursday, April 11
  • April in Paris - Wine Tasting | Thursday, April 11 | 5-7 p.m. | BRIX Wine Shop, 105 Broad St., Boston | Free entry | Sample from ten of French favorites, including aromatic spring whites and the season’s first Provençal rosés.
  • Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks | Thursday, April 11 | 7:30 p.m. | TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston | Prices vary | Cheer on the Celtics against the visitors from New York.
Friday, April 12
  • Next Stop Comedy | Friday, April 12 | 8-9:30 p.m. | Castle Island Brewing, 10 Old Colony Ave., Boston | $25 | Head to the South Boston taproom for a comedy showcase.
Saturday, April 13
  • Franklin Park Community Cleanup | Saturday, April 13 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Franklin Park, Playstead Road, Boston | Free | In honor of One Boston Day, join a neighborhood cleanup in Boston’s largest green space.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Seasonal
  • It’s time to set sail to Eastie — Tall Ship will reopen for the season this Saturday, April 13 at 11 a.m.
Number
  • $1,137,500. That’s the amount that will be distributed to winners of the Boston Marathon in the open, wheelchair, and master’s divisions. This is a $250,000+ increase over last year’s purse, thanks to Bank of America’s inaugural corporate sponsorship. (Boston.com)
Biz
  • Amazon opened its largest facility in Massachusetts with roughly 4 million sqft of space in North Andover. The five-story warehouse cost about $400 million to build and will employ 1,500 people. It’s approximately the size of 66 football fields and can handle 100,000+ orders per day. (Boston Globe)
Active
  • The Handle Bar Charlestown is turning up the heat with a new Hotbox infrared studio that will open on Saturday, April 13. Stop by the grand opening events on Saturday and Sunday with free classes, pop-ups, and giveaways from local businesses.
Sports
  • The Red Sox have reportedly signed a new long-term deal to Ceddanne Rafaela. The $50 million, eight-year extension will lock the outfielder in until 2031. This follows another six-year, $55 million contract extension to Brayan Bello during spring training. (Boston.com)
Holiday
  • Happy Eid. It’s Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan. Also called the Sweet Eid or Sugar Feast, those fasting during this past month will enjoy a meal + plenty of sweets. Grab your baklava and ma’amoul from Sofra in Cambridge or Athan’s Bakery in Brookline.
Finance
  • Cue drum roll. 2024 is here, and the personal finance experts at The Ascent have sorted through hundreds of credit cards to do the work for you. Presenting: These four credit cards, among the best bonus cards the experts have ever seen.*
The Buy

The Buy 4.10.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
This under-cabinet pots and pans organizer. We love how it actually utilizes the vertical space in kitchen cupboards and (bonus) can be turned on its side to use as a lid organizer.
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The Wrap
 
Jess Burton in a blue shirt and gold necklace

Today’s edition by:
Jessica
From the editor
Kowloon is expanding — kind of.

The iconic Chinese restaurant has teamed up with The Brook in New Hampshire to bring a new restaurant + nightlife concept to the casino-entertainment venue this summer. The new space will have multiple dining rooms, a private event space, two bars, and a lounge for live music and entertainment.
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