Freedom Festival Revives the Cardboard Boat Regatta
Event Returns after 14-Year Hiatus as kickoff for Ellis Family Fun Fest
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, March 22, 2024 – The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival is thrilled to announce the triumphant return of The Cardboard Boat Regatta after a 14-year hiatus. Set to make waves on June 8th as part of The Ellis Family Fun Fest, this highly anticipated event heralds a joyous reunion for participants and spectators alike.
Embarking on a picturesque course, competitors will navigate an enchanting “out and back” circuit from the marked starting bank, skirting the designated buoy in Robbins Lake near the community gardens, before returning to the bank. The race format will see head-to-head heats of two boats, with each exhilarating run timed to completion or until a vessel succumbs to the challenge.
The Regatta is open to teams comprised of between two and eight participants per boat. Participants must be at least 16 years old. Teams are encouraged to get creative and have themed boats while adhering to design requirements.
“The Cardboard Boat Regatta holds a special place in the hearts of our community and has long been a cherished tradition of The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival,” expressed Marnie Schultz, Events and Marketing Director. “We have attentively listened to the public’s requests and spared no effort in reviving this beloved event for the 2024 festival.”
The Ellis Family Fun Fest, orchestrated by The Cedar Boat Club, a longstanding community development nonprofit established in 1948, promises an exhilarating day of family-friendly festivities on June 8th. Highlights include a pancake breakfast fundraiser, a carnival fun zone, a car and watercraft show in Ellis Park, an exhibition show by The Five Season Ski Team, an array of food trucks, and the Cardboard Boat Regatta, all before concluding with a family friendly concert in Ellis Park.
Renowned for its annual fireworks extravaganza on July 3rd which has lit up the Ellis neighborhood skyline for over four decades, The Cedar Boat Club’s legacy shines brightly. The pancake breakfast on the morning of the 8th will serve as a fundraiser, directly contributing to the magic of the fireworks display. For further details about The Ellis Family Fun Fest and the Cedar Boat Club, please visit their website www.cedarboatclub.org.
Excitement is palpable as our esteemed sponsors for The Cardboard Boat Regatta, including the Terry Durin Company, Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust, UA Local 125, International Paper, Pactiv Evergreen, IBEW 405, and The Witwer Trust eagerly anticipate the showcase of creativity and seamanship from our vibrant community.
For more information and requirements for this unforgettable event and high-seas adventure go to www.freedomfestival.com or email info@freedomfestival.com
# # #
Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival
The Freedom Festival is a privately and publicly funded nonprofit organization that produces community programming over three-weeks in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In addition to celebrating the 4th of July, the Freedom Festival’s mission is to celebrate the quality of life in Eastern Iowa by providing safe, affordable, and fun annual events that embody the spirit of patriotism and a sense of community and family. For more information, visit www.FreedomFestival.com.
After a 14 year hiatus, The Freedom Festival’s Cardboard Boat Regatta will take place during the Ellis Family Fun Fest on Saturday June 8th, 2024.
$40 per team to compete in this years competition.
***Please see rules and regulations on the event page.
SPECIAL THANKS TO THESE SPONSORS FOR MAKING THIS EVENT POSSIBLE:
