Builders prepare for Cardboard Boat Race

Duct tape?

Check.

Cardboard?

Check.

A lake?

Check.

A wet and wild time had by everyone?

For sure.

The Fox Lake Cardboard Boat Race will take place Sunday at Lakefront Park on Rollins Road.

Village parks and recreation coordinator Nancy Rogers said the event is getting bigger every year.

Rogers added that she is looking forward to the largest turnout in this, the village's centennial birthday.

"A lot of people are building off site this year," she said "Hopefully the weather will be good, so I think its going to be nice."

The event kicks off with on-site boat building at 8 a.m. Races begin at noon, with the children and on-site builders going first.

Rogers said trophies will be issued for fastest on-site boats, fastest off-site boats, most original, and a host of other categories.

She said about 100 creative cardboard boat builders come to the event every year to show off their special ability to create boats out of pieces of cardboard and duct tape.

"We think its going to be a great time for everyone," Rogers said. "People will have a lot of fun. It'll be great."

The rules of the cardboard boat race are simple. Create a boat out of 95 percent cardboard and put it together with duct tape and paint. Place it in the water, then climb on top wearing a life preserver and using a paddle for propulsion.

Then, paddle the cardboard craft around a buoy about 100 feet away.

People are asked to supply their own paddles. Also, everyone participating must wear a life vest when in the water.

Registration is $25. People can either register the day of the event, or come to the village hall at 66 Thillen Drive to register before hand.

Food and beverages will also be served that day by members of the Fox Lake Volunteer Fire Department.

"It should be a great day so everyone should come out and get involved," Rogers said.