One of the most popular traditions of Englewood Pioneer Days, the cardboard boat races, made a big splash on August 30 at Indian Mound Park on Lemon Bay.
This year’s boat races spectators saw 23 boats hit the water, the largest field in recent memory. Much of the credit went to Bart and Austin Tracy of Lasbury Tracy Real Estate, who built 14 cardboard shells for young participants. That gave first-time sailors a jump-start, needing only to waterproof and decorate their boats before setting sail. Judging by a few sinking vessels, not everyone took the waterproofing advice seriously, which made for plenty of laughs.
Winners by category
- Under 9: Englewood Dot, Englewood Fishing Club; raced by Axell Enderley, 9, and Jacob McGinn, 9.
- Ages 10–16: Englewood Dot, Englewood Fishing Club; raced by Jake McClain, 14, and Jordan Fletcher, 12.
- Over 16: Sea Dog, Port Charlotte High School Electrathon Club; raced by Luiz Silva Pinto, 17, and Jesse Porter, 17.
- Captain’s Choice: Blood Sharks; raced by Owen Silberstrom, 11, Erik Strahan, 12, and Bryson Singleton, 11.
Organizers said the event’s success was also thanks to the many local sponsors: Englewood Chamber of Commerce, Englewood Sailing Association, Tracy Lasbury Realty, Jubilee Center at St. David’s Episcopal Church, Venice Sea Scouts, Stumpy’s Free Ride golf cart shuttle, musician Dale Shumate, photographer John Bass IV, and food trucks Shaz Shack and Outside the Lunchbox.
The cardboard boat races remain a highlight of Pioneer Days, a community festival that has brought residents and visitors together for nearly seven decades.
