Get Your Float On: River Legacy’s Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta Launches April 21

By Office of Communication

Posted on March 21, 2018, March 21, 2018

Does cardboard float? It does in River Legacy's 29th annual Cardboard Boat Regatta scheduled for Saturday, April 21 at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor! Participants build boats entirely out of cardboard and then race their cardboard crafts in this fun and creative community fundraiser for River Legacy Foundation.

Boat registration deadline is April 9 to set sail in this wet and wild event. Registration fees range from $55 to $90 and include admission tickets.

River Legacy's Regatta challenges creative boat builders of all ages to build, navigate, and float (or sink!) their corrugated cardboard creations in Hurricane Harbor's Wave Pool. Many trophies and bragging rights are on the line including, the Steve Calloway Legacy Award for Best of Show, the Rah Rah! Award for most spirited crew, and the Titanic Award for most spectacular sinking. Participating high schools compete for school spirit and bragging rights for the High School Challenge trophy.

"Many area schools use the Regatta as a hands-on math and science lesson and then get to reap the rewards of their handiwork on event day and possibly even bring back a trophy," said Kristi Payne, River Legacy Marketing Coordinator.

Sponsor and longtime Regatta winners, Harris Packaging is making it even easier for families, companies and schools to participate by creating pre-cut boat kits. All you have to do is assemble, decorate and sail! Kits are $100 and all proceeds benefit River Legacy.

Whether building and racing a boat or just coming to cheer, there are plenty of activities for the whole crew to enjoy.

Children can play in Hook's Lagoon as well as participate in their own Mini-Boat "Raingutter" Regatta. During the Mini-Boat Regatta, children ages 4 to 12 sail their mini pinewood boats to victory by blowing them down a rain gutter. Mini-Boat pinewood kits can be purchased at River Legacy Living Science Center. Cost to enter the Mini-Boat Regatta is just $5.

Other event-day activities include unlimited rides on the Tornado, Tsunami Surge & Typhoon Twister with the purchase of a $10 wristband; a chance to get in on the boat-racing action with Build-on-Site boats; Whale Sail for a chance to win fabulous prizes; and concessions. Advance purchase Regatta admission tickets will be on sale through April 20 at River Legacy Living Science Center for just $6. Event-day tickets are $8 at the gate. Hurricane Harbor is not open to the public, so season passes are not valid admission for this event.

The Cardboard Boat Regatta is a fund-raising event presented by River Legacy Foundation and the Arlington Parks and Recreation Department. Proceeds from the event benefit the educational programs of River Legacy Living Science Center and River Legacy Park.

To register or for more information about the 29th annual Cardboard Boat Regatta, call 817.860.6752, ext. 107, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.riverlegacy.org.