The United Way of Southwest Michigan is looking for teams to sign up for its Rock The Boat Cardboard Boat Races taking place next month.
The United Way’s Zack East tells us they brought the popular event back after a break during COVID. It features teams rowing homemade boats made of carboard in the St. Joseph River to raise money and have some fun. East says the races are back by popular demand.
“The amount of people that would end up asking United Way when those races were coming back, especially after the pandemic sort of ended, even in 2022, we were getting asked that question,” East said. “So I think it’s long overdue that it’s back.”
However, the registrations this year have been a bit slow. East says all kinds of teams are invited to sign up for the races, whether they’re from a business, a church, or just group of friends.
Teams must follow some guidelines for the construction of their boats, but the theme is entirely up to them. East says past years have seen some pretty creative ones.
“One of the most clever ones, which did not float very well, is actually from one of our presenting sponsors. Ryan Chevers from Little Red Fern and I think a friend of his from North Pier Brewing put together a Cubs scoreboard-themed cardboard boat. It did not move very quickly. It sort of got close to sinking pretty easily, but it looked beautiful.”
In their peak year, the cardboard boat races had around 70 teams signed up, and East says they’re hoping for at least 30 this year.
The Rock The Boat Cardboard Boat Races will be July 11 at the Inn at Harbor Shores in St. Joseph with food and drinks from Plank’s Tavern on the Water as well as food trucks from Ben’s Pretzels and The Brick House. The event will be hosted by Our Lady of the Lake Athletic Director and WSJM Sports guy, Phil McDonald.
Registrations to take part must be submitted by Friday, June 21.
