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.

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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.

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Events begin with the Little Miss/Mr. Englewood Pageant on Saturday, August 23 and concludes on Monday, Sept. 1 with the Pioneer Day Parade and activities at Pioneer Park.

Youth Pageants Open the Week

The Little Miss/Mr. Englewood Pageant will take place Saturday, Aug. 23, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Sky Academy. The event is open to boys and girls ages 0 to 12.

CANCELED: The Miss Englewood Pageant, for girls ages 15 to 18, is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 30, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the location to be announced.

Applications and details for both events are available at www.englewoodchamber.com/pioneer.

Cardboard Boat Races at Indian Mound Park

The Cardboard Boat Races will be held Saturday, Aug. 30, beginning at 10 a.m. at Indian Mound Park. Organized by the Englewood Sailing Association, Lasbury Tracy Realty, and St. David’s Jubilee Center, the event invites participants to race homemade cardboard boats in multiple heats. Food and drinks will be sold on-site.

Visit www.englewoodchamber.com/pioneer for registration forms.

Parade and Public Activities on Sept. 1

The Pioneer Day Parade begins at 9 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 1. The parade will stage at 240 S. Indiana Avenue and travel from the Obee’s parking lot down W. Cowels Street, turning onto McCall Road and ending on Dearborn Street at the Veterans Memorial Pavilion.

Visit www.englewoodchamber.com/pioneer for paraderegistration forms.

After the parade, activities at Pioneer Park (325 W. Dearborn Street) will begin around 10 a.m. The schedule includes:

• 10:20 a.m. – Parade Winners Announced (Englewood Chamber)
  
• 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. – Live Music (Dale Shumate)
  
• 11:30 a.m. – Pie Eating Contest (Dearborn Coffeehouse)
  
• 12:30 p.m. – Watermelon Eating Contest
  
• 1:00 p.m. – Beard Contest (Sydney Martin)

Games and Booths at Pioneer Plaza

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Pioneer Plaza will host games and booths from local organizations, including:

• GFWC Rotonda Woman’s Club
  
• Englewood Family YMCA
  
• Prop It Up Photo Booths
  
• Englewood History Museum
  
• Englewood Amateur Radio Society
  

Additional participants include the Low Rider Dachshund Foundation (dog treats), Grace Community Church (snacks and water), and the Englewood Chamber of Commerce (community information). Vendor applications remain open.
Visit www.englewoodchamber.com/pioneer for vendor applications.

Beard Contest Set for Afternoon

The Beard Contest begins at 1:00 p.m. All ages may enter. Prizes and recognition will be given for the longest and most distinctive beards. Visit www.englewoodchamber.com/pioneer for beard contest applications.

Parade Leadership and Mayoral Candidates

The 2025 Grand Marshal selections and Mayor candidates are still to be announced. Mayoral candidates will raise money for selected charities, participate in the parade, and attend event functions.

Committee chair Jeannie Joyce, with members Mike Dalke and Cyndi Fredricks, encourages participation. “All the charities win,” Joyce said. “They keep what they raise and gain exposure.” For more information, contact Joyce at 360-431-6910.

Applications, forms, and more event updates are available through the Englewood Chamber and the Englewood Pioneer Days website: www.englewoodchamber.com/pioneer.

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