Cardboard boat race provides that sinking feeling

On the surface, some things just don't seem like a good idea.

Cramming 10 people onto a boat made of cardboard and paddling out into the middle of a lake is one of those things.

But a deeper look at the "What Floats Your Cardboard Boat Race" reveals that idea cannot only be good, it can be hilarious fun for sailors and spectators alike.

The 14th annual race, presented by Fox Valley United Way, is set for Saturday, Aug. 20, on Aurora's Mastodon Lake in Phillips Park.

"It's a great team builder. It's so much fun. So many people get involved," said Ryan Dowd, executive director of Hesed House, an Aurora shelter and resource center for homeless people.

The event is a way to increase community awareness of the Fox Valley United Way and its partnerships with more than 54 area health and human service agencies, said CEO Michael Meyer. The race also marks the start of the agency's 2016-17 fundraising campaign.

Meyer said the Fox Valley United Way recently merged with the United Way of Central Kane County.

"We're actually going to have a satellite office in St. Charles. It adds a number of agencies to our partners," Meyer said.

Boat race participants include community groups from several charities, corporations, businesses, schools and the Aurora Police Department.

This year, at least 26 boats made of cardboard and held together with duct tape and varnish or polyurethane are expected to vie for the honors of being named "Best in Race," "Judges' Choice," or "People's Choice," or winning the "Team Spirit Award."

There's also the "The Wonder That Went Down Under Most Spectacular Sinking Award."

Dowd and his crew of Hesed House staff, clients and volunteers have participated since the boat race's inception, and often walk away with awards.

"What we try to do is pick a theme where as many people as possible will dress up. We look for lots and lots of costume possibilities," he said.

Last year, he said, the Hesed House boat resembled a giant cereal bowl and the crew dressed as cereal commercial characters. In past years, his group dressed as the Seven Dwarfs while Dowd played the part of Snow White. Another year, the theme called for him to dress as Lady Gaga.

"One year, we did a wedding cake and I was in a wedding dress," he said. "In all but one year, I've been in a dress." When asked about this year's theme, Dowd said, "I will not disappoint."

Most years, Dowd said, his children, now ages 13 and 17, also participate.

The event is a family-oriented one, Meyer said.

"Every year, there's really so many creative boats," said Meyer. "We get a lot of people that come down for it - 1,100 to 1,200 people - a lot of families."

The race day has evolved into a community festival, he said, complete with food vendors serving tacos, hot dogs, ice cream and juice.

There are games for children, face painters and a balloon artist. Music will be provided by radio station 95.9-FM The River.

Meyer said boats launch from the dock, cruise around a buoy about 200 yards out, and then head back to shore. Boats will be on display beginning at 8:30 a.m. Races begin at 10:30 a.m., he said.

All crew members must wear a flotation device; the minimum age to participate is 10.

In addition to awards given for racing prowess, standout boatbuilders will be recognized in two classes: human-powered and mechanical. Awards will be given in business, community and nonprofit categories, as well as for individuals in age categories.

All registered boats get a participation award.

While watching a boat spring a leak and slowly sink is just as much a part of the spectacle as watching a lake-worthy vessel cross the finish line, Dowd has advice for cardboard boat novices.

"The secret is the duct tape," he said.