It’s Time For Hannibal’s Cardboard Races

It's sink or swim--or with any luck you'll cross the finish line--at Hannibal's Cardboard Boat Races. 

Using boats and paddles they've constructed entirely of cardboard, kids ages 6 to 16 will race a lap at the Hannibal Aquatic Center on June 22.

My 10-year-old and her friend are in the engineering stage of boat building.  They're looking for redemption after a tragic disqualification last year.  They were pretty much steering a boat made of gorilla tape. Silly kids!  You really should check the rules in advance at www.hannibalparks.org.

The deadline to register is this Friday, June 14.  You can find the forms at the Hannibal Parks and Recreation Department office at City Hall.  The ships set sail on the pool at 9 a.m.  Prizes will be awarded to the fastest boat and the best decorated.  The most spectacular failure earns the Titanic Award.

As an added bonus, participants in this year’s Cardboard Boat Races will also have the chance to be in the Bicentennial parade, with the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales.  After the competition, HPR will have a float for the racers in the parade at 11 a.m., June 22.