14th Annual Labor Day Cardboard Boat Races

Saturday September 5th 2015
Registration Opens at 9am, Races begin at 12pm

The Time is Now to Register for Our 14th Annual Cardboard Boat Race!

The 14th Annual Labor Day Cardboard Boat Races have been a fantastic summertime tradition, with a full day schedule of fun and excitement as kids, adults, families, clubs, organizations and businesses compete for prizes and bragging rights on September 5, 2015.

The races begin at 12 P.M. and take place on beautiful Bangs Lake at our marina. Get your team together and start designing and building your cardboard vessels. Here’s a tip: you want them to look really good. Tip #2: You don’t want your boat to sink.

Think you’re up for the challenge? Prizes, trophies and awards will be handed out at the end of the races to those finishing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the various racing categories. Judges will also select the Best Dressed, Best Spectacular Sinking, Best Team Spirit and Best Design & Theme.

Also, the highly coveted “Cardboard Cup” currently remains in the hands of the 2014 winners from POSRG of Wauconda. Will they hold on to their championship title this year, or is it time for a newcomer? Any local business can enter our competition and win a $200 gift card to Lindy’s, as well as the rights to display the “Cardboard Cup” for the coming year.

First things first: register and follow the rules of boat-building so you do not risk being disqualified the day of the races. There is a technical inspection of every boat prior to racing to ensure it is safe and has NOT been built with materials other than cardboard and duct tape. If you are a first-timer, there is a list of websites to check out to help inspire creativity and to better understand how this is done. The rules on the download form below provide information about allowable materials and building guidelines.

Pre-registration for boat entrants ends August 31st and the cost is $30.00. Registration the day of the races is allowed, but not recommended and is $40.00.

Technical inspections and judging will be by local dignitaries and members of the Bangs Lake Advisory Committee. Volunteers are comprised of friends and family of Lindy’s and players from the Wauconda High School Football Team and the reining queens from the Wauconda Pageant Program.

This event is held annually to raise funds for the Bangs Lake Advisory Committee, which maintains and restores the crown jewel of Wauconda—Bangs Lake. We’ll see you at the races!