Cardboard regatta promises wet good time

It's off to the races this Saturday as the fiercest cardboard competitors head to the sixth annual Labor Day Cardboard Boat Races at Lindy's Landing.

"It's something that we started because we felt like it would be a great complement to the Labor Day weekend in Wauconda," Lindy's Landing owner Laurie Barth says.

The same evening as the boat races, the chamber of commerce holds its annual street dance. Barth says the cardboard boat races are the perfect addition.

"It's something that kind of makes it a full day of fun in Wauconda," she says.

For the uninitiated, racers build their boats out of cardboard, then compete for time against other boaters -- all the while hoping their craft doesn't sink in the process.

Barth says there are usually about 25 to 30 entrants in the races, which includes divisions for adults, children and families. Winners can expect prizes and giveaways for first, second and third places.

"We make sure that there's an incentive," says Barth, noting the event tries to make sure all the kids go away with something special.

Entry fees are $15 for those who build their boats with materials off site and $25 for those who build their crafts the day of the competition with material provided in a kit.

Either way, the rules prohibit propelling your boat with anything other than oars and paddles. And lifejackets are required.

"You're in the water so you don't want to have any problems," Barth says.

Considering jumping into the competition?

Do a little online research, Barth says. Either that, or show up the day of the race and buy the provided kit. Just remember to bring your own utility knife.

"When they have the kit and they're restricted to what's in it, the engineering mind kicks in," Barth says. "It just ends up being a lot of fun."

And after the fun, Lindy's Landing takes the leftover entry fees and donates it to the Bangs Lake Management fund, so you're even kicking in to a good cause.

"It's a family-oriented event that really brings people in from all over," Barth says. "We hope that people will think about doing it."

For details about the event, or for a registration form, visit lindyslanding.net or call Barth at (847) 526-7881.