Grayslake carboard races set to launch Saturday

Cardboard-boat racing aficionados should plan to be in Grayslake at 10 a.m. Saturday.

That's when the park district hosts its second Great Cardboard Boat Regatta at Jones Island Beach. The beach is at the village's namesake Gray's Lake just west of the downtown area.

Tracy Putkonen, the Grayslake Park District's recreation supervisor, said she's expecting a strong turnout for the event. She's already expecting 13 boys from a youth group in Madison, Wis., to make the trip and has had inquiries from as far as Michigan.

Last year, there were 18 boats in the race and about 300 spectators on shore, Putkonen said.

Boats must be made from corrugated cardboard. The boat should be seaworthy enough to complete three trips around a 200-yard course.

There will be three classes for the race. There are as follows:

•Class I, an open division with boats completely built from corrugated cardboard and propelled by oars, paddles and the like. There also is a youth division in this class for competitors 14 and younger. The entry fee is $25.

•Class II, featuring boats that move by paddle wheel, propellers, sails and other methods. Entry in this class costs $25.

•Class III, known as "instant boats." For $30, competitors will be given kits to design and build boats at Jones Island Beach. Putkonen said a lottery might become necessary, because only 10 of these boats will be available.

Safety will be evident during the event, as it was last year.

"Our staff were in boats all around the buoys, and fire department divers were there," Putkonen said.

Check-in for the regatta will start at 10 a.m. Preliminary heats begin at noon, followed by semifinals and finals for each class.

Prizes will be given to the first-, second- and third-place finishers in each category. There also will be other awards, including ones for best team spirit and spectacular sinking.

Two Grayslake businesses will have food and beverages for sale throughout the day.