The 149th Swan Boat season at the Public Garden wraps up Monday

Dozens of people lined up to take one of the last rides on the iconic Swan Boats on Sunday at the Public Garden lagoon, before the season ends on Monday. Bill Garrity, from the North Shore, who was among the throng waiting to board, said he was here for the nostalgia, noting the last time he was on a Swan Boat was back in 2009. The sun peeked in and out of the clouds, providing the occasional glow to the lagoon and the weeping willows beside it, while over a dozen workers ushered people to their vessels.

Lyn Paget, one of the owners and operators of the Swan Boats, was already gearing up for next season, which marks the Swan Boats' 150th anniversary. Paget is the fourth generation of the Paget family, which has owned and operated the Swan Boats since 1877 after it was started by the great-grandfather.

Instead of making the anniversary a one-day celebration, Paget and other leaders are planning a season of celebration. Paget noted that these are the only boats of their kind in the world as far as they know, with three boats over 100 years old still in operation.