There is still time to get your old refrigerator boxes and rolls of duct tape ready for Riverhead’s Cardboard Boat Race set for this Sunday, August 23 on the Peconic Riverfront.
Registration for the race, now in its sixth year, begins at 9 a.m. the day of the race. There is a hula hoop contest at 11:30 a.m. and the race, sponsored by the Riverhead BID and Riverhead Town, kicks off at noon.
The race categories are as follows: Race 1, Youth Regatta and Anything Goes; Race 2, Riverhead Yacht Club Regatta, single occupants; Race 3, Peconic River Special Pontoon Boats, Barge Race; and Race 4, The Grand National Regatta, Anything Goes.
All boats must have a name (so get creative) and all participants must wear an approved life vest.
The only other rule? Cardboard and duct tape are the only materials allowed to build the boats.
Other prizes include prettiest boat, most creative and the spirit award.
East End Arts artist-in-residence Chris Dyer will also host several workshops from Aug. 20 through Aug. 22 culminating with Dwyer painting boats on the day of the race.
Click here for or a list of Dyer’s events.
That initiative is sponsored by by Suffolk County National Bank, East End Arts, Riverhead Business Improvement District, East End Rowing Institute, Peconic Paddler, Cornell Cooperative Extension Peconic Estuary Program Outreach & Education, Hyatt, Long Island Aquarium, and Hotel Indigo.
The race was originally set for June 28, but was rescheduled to due a large fish kill in the Peconic River.
For more information call (631) 727-3200 ex. 223 or visit RiverheadBid.com.
