Fox Valley United Way to host 15th annual cardboard boat race
On Saturday, Aug. 19, hundreds will gather in Aurora along the shores of Mastodon Lake in Phillips Park for the 15th annual "What Floats Your Cardboard Boat" race.
Decorated cardboard boats, manned by costumed sailors, will compete in various heats to see who can make it to the finish line fastest - without sinking!
It's a great volunteer-run event that celebrates community, as local officials, Aurora police and fire departments, area businesses, social service organizations, families and individuals all participate to make it a festive and entertaining morning.
The boat race is also an opportunity for Fox Valley United Way to highlight the life-changing work of the 62 social service agencies they support in 23 communities in Kane and Kendall counties.
The event is free and great fun for the whole family
Twenty boats are currently registered with more registrations coming. The Aurora police and fire departments, Hesed House, Caterpillar, and Mutual Ground are just a few of the organizations getting their boats ready.
Special appearance by local midget car driver Ryan Finley and his Chicago Blackhawks sponsored midget car and two of the Chicago Blackhawks "Ice Girls"
Kids will enjoy a photo booth, balloon artistry, face painting, games and "meet and greets" with costumed super heroes.
On-site food vendors include: Dick's Mini Donuts, Legit Dogs and Ice, Taco Grill and Salsa Bar and Gandi the Juice Guru. All sales will benefit the social service agencies supported by Fox Valley United Way.
Free water will be supplied by Hinckley Springs and free coffee will be served by The Salvation Army mobile canteen.
Attendees also will have a chance to meet representatives from many of the social service agencies supported by Fox Valley United Way donations, and learn more about the lives that they impact.
Sponsors for this year's event are: Old Second National Bank, the City of Aurora, Finishing Solutions Network, SmithAmundsen, First National Bank and Caterpillar. Media sponsors include: 95.9 The River, WSPY AM 1480, WSPY FM 107.1 and The Fox Valley Labor News.
Boater check-in begins at 8 a.m. Boats will be on display and activities begin at 9 a.m. The race program begins at 10 a.m. The first-, second- and third-place trophies are awarded in each of six divisions: adult, business, nonprofit, partner agency, mechanical and community.
Special trophies are presented for "Team Spirit", "People's Choice" and the "Most Spectacular Sinking."
A video of last year's boat race is available at www.foxvalleyunitedway.org/2017-cardboard-boat-race
Founded in 1922, the Fox Valley United Way is a volunteer-supported organization that provides an efficient and effective way for contributors to give one gift that will help support a range of social service programs, helping to meet the most critical needs within their communities.
The Fox Valley United Way provides funding to 56 organizations serving 23 communities in Kane and Kendall counties, including: Aurora, Big Rock, Bristol, Campton Hills, Elburn, Geneva, Hinckley, Kaneville, LaFox, Little Rock, Maple Park, Millbrook, Montgomery, Mooseheart, North Aurora, Oswego, Plano, Plattville, Sandwich, St. Charles, Sugar Grove, Wasco and Yorkville.
It also initiates innovative programs like SPARK (www.sparkaurora.org) and Volunteer Fox Valley (www.volunteerfoxvalley.org).