Here’s your chance to get a head start on this year’s Pioneer Days Cardboard Boat Races with a special Cardboard Boat Giveaway on Saturday, August 23, 10 a.m. at the Sailing Center at Indian Mound Park.
The Englewood Sailing Association, along with Lasbury Tracy Realty, is sponsoring the event, offering free cardboard boats to those who want to decorate and enter them in the races. The boats, crafted by renowned local builders Austin and Bart Tracy, veterans of Pioneer Day racing for decades, will be available for a refundable $25 deposit. The deposit will be returned on race day, Saturday, Aug. 30, when participants bring their boats back to race.
Austin and his dad Bart, will construct 10–15 cardboard boat shells that will hold 2 to 4 kids, depending on their size. These will be made of raw cardboard that families can take home, waterproof, and customize to make it their own. If there are not enough boats to go around, a raffle will be held to determine who receives one. However, Bart and Austin will do their best to ensure that each team of kids is allocated a boat.
Racers can take their boats home after pickup to paint, decorate, and customize before returning the following Saturday for the competition. The August 30 races begin at 10 a.m. at the Sailing Center and will feature music, food trucks, pirates, prizes, and community festivities. Spectators are encouraged to bring folding chairs and plenty of spirit.
Race registration is available through the Englewood Chamber of Commerce website. Overflow parking will be located four blocks away at Orange Avenue and Green Street.
For more information and to register for the race, visit englewoodchamber.com/pioneer.
