Cardboard Boat Challenge draws creative designers to Belfast waterfront
BELFAST — A gray sky greeted the hundreds of spectators that gathered on the beach near Belfast’s Boathouse to watch the six vessels in this year’s Cardboard Boat Challenge, which took place Aug. 18.
The event began at 10 a.m., with an hour designated for boats to arrive and enough time for the crowd to choose their favorite vessel of the day, with the winner being honored with the People’s Choice Award.
With varying degrees of success, the boats took to the water in heats of two to see whether their cardboard creations would sink or hold them afloat long enough for paddlers to make it out to a buoy and back to shore.
The boats are made using cardboard and duct tape with a list of guidelines offered on the Harbor Fest’s website, the group that sponsors the event.
Belfast Harbor Fest and Boat Show takes place annually and features many activities, including a boat building competition, a regatta put on by the group Come Boating!, and a lobster lunch that raises funds for Habitat for Humanity, among others.
Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com
