• ALL BOAT HULLS MUST BE CONSTRUCTED OF RECYCLED CARDBOARD (corrugated board Other materials may include: hot glue, duct tape, paint, chewing gum, and even nail polish.)
• No Cellular, fiberglass, plastic, wood or flotation materials allowed in hull construction. Most importantly the spirit of the event is cardboard, duct tape, glue and paint.
• Absolutely no wood, nails or screws or Styrofoam filler. Not only are these construction materials banned they present a danger to anyone in the water when they come apart. Any boat found to be built with these materials will immediately be asked to leave the venue.
• Boats to be propelled by oars, paddles or convenient body parts. Oars or paddles may be constructed of cardboard or you may also use a real paddle.
• ALL participants must wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device)

 

2025 Award Categories are as follows:

• Fastest Time Elapsed- Adult
• Fastest Time Elapsed- Teen
• Fastest Time Elapsed- Kids
• Fastest Overall Time- $250 PRIZE!
• Don Brubaker Best Construction Award
• Best Sinking
• Best Boat Name
• Best Theme- $100 PRIZE!
• People's Choice

 

Deadline for Entry form is Monday, June 9th 2025.

 

• Boat Display set-up will be from 9am - 11am in the Seneca Harbor Park parking lot. Please follow the following rules and we will get all boats safely parked. Also remember we must leave lanes clear for safety vehicles. When you arrive, you will be directed to your boat display space. Please remove your boat from truck or trailer and move your tow vehicle to parking area at the far eastern end of the lot. Concourse de Cardboard will be open to public inspection and judging from 11am to 1:30pm.
• Stones for voting for the People's Choice can be purchased at the registration tent.
• Captains meeting will be held at 1:30pm.
• Race starts at 2:00pm. Any Boats deemed "unsafe" will not be allowed to enter the race
• Make sure you have enough crew members to remove your boat from the water at the finish line. Wet Cardboard is very heavy. Dumpsters are provided.
• Please ensure that the dumpsters that you are using are FESTIVAL dumpsters and not those from the Village Marina or Horseheads Brewing. If you need clarification, please ask on of our volunteers.
• If your boat comes apart at the seams make sure to remove all boat materials from the lake before you leave and clean your boat display area.
• Awards will be handed out shortly after the end of the Regatta- live music to follow! So stick around!

I hereby warrant that I/we agree to indemnify and save harmless Watkins Glen Promotions, Schuyler County and its officers, employees and agents and the Village of Watkins Glen against any loss or expense by reason of liability imposed by law upon the sponsors or Schuyler County from and against claims against the sponsors and Schuyler County for damages because of bodily injuries, including death, at any time resulting there from, accidents sustained by any persons or person on account of damage to property rising out of or in consequence of the Watkins Glen Waterfront Festival or Cardboard Boat Regatta whether such injuries to person or damage to property are due to or claimed to be due to any negligence of the sponsors of Schuyler County, their agents, servants, or employees, or any other person.