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This Saturday, Oct. 10, Lakelanders will take to Lake Hollingsworth once again, attempting to navigate a nearly 400-foot course in homemade cardboard boats, in a race hosted by the Lakes Education/Action Drive (LE/AD).
“We’re trying to raise awareness to have people understand that what happens on the surface affects what happens in the water,” said Eesa Ali, LE/AD executive director.
“When we convert natural areas into built-up areas, it has a detrimental impact on surface waters because surface waters are the lowest feature on land,” he said. “All the spills, all the water running off the surfaces like your roof, your roadways, your parking lots, it’s all ending up in our lakes and rivers.”
The 21st Lakeland Cardboard Boat Challenge and Lakes Festival has two race categories, pre-built and on-site built. Participants in the pre-built category arrive at 9 a.m. to register on race day with their boats ready to go.
Lakeland Cardboard Boat Challenge & Lakes Festival
Where: Lake Hollingsworth Boat Ramp
Schedule:
8 to 8:30 a.m. – On-site Built Registration
8:30 to 10:00 a.m. – Onsite Cardboard Boat Building
9 to 9:30 a.m. – Pre-built Boat Registration
10 a.m. – Races
Team Registration: $35
Spectators: Free
Those opting to build on site begin registration at 8 a.m. near the Lake Hollingsworth boat ramp. Teams will be provided with materials and will construct their boats from 8:30 a.m to 10 a.m. Ali said there is still room in the competition for more on-site built registrants, and teams wanting to complete can just show up on Saturday morning.
Teams are made up of four to 10 members, with corporate, community, family, and youth designations. Two people race in each vessel, regardless of size.
The first races begin at 10 a.m. Racers can place first, second, or third in their category, and organizers will present six additional special awards, like the People’s Choice Award and the Titanic Award for the best sinking.
In addition to the main event, Ali said local band The Sofa Kings — made up of members who are all either current or retired water quality and biological professionals — will provide entertainment. Officials from the cities of Lakeland and Winter Haven and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be on-site with educational presentations. He said there will also be snow cone and lemonade vendors.
Ali said there is a possibility that the race is canceled or postponed due to rain and lightning this Saturday. Updates will be posted on the organization’s website, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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