Cedar Rapids’ Cardboard Boat Regatta is coming back this summer

Cedar Rapids, Iowa – After a 14-year break, Cedar Rapids will host the Cardboard Boat Regatta this year.
The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival is scheduled for June 8 as part of The Ellis Family Fun Fest, according to festival staff.

“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,” staff with the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival said. “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.”

Teams of two to eight people per boat are allowed to compete, and competitors must be at least 16 years old.

Although there are specifications for building the boats—which you can view here—participants are urged to build themed vessels.

“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 charity Cedar Boat Club is hosting the Ellis Family Fun Fest, which will feature a pancake breakfast fundraiser, a carnival fun zone, a family-friendly concert in Ellis Park, and an exhibition presentation by The Five Season Ski Team.