September 13th, 2025
The 13th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta!
The Bayfront Maritime Center is proud to announce that our most anticipated event of the summer, the Cardboard Boat Regatta, will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025. The 13th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta is an event for all ages and will include cardboard boat races in four age divisions, local food trucks and vendors, an awards ceremony, and fun for the whole family. The Regatta is free to watch — bring your lawn chairs and cheer on your favorite paddling teams!
As one of our main fundraisers, the Regatta supports BMC as we work to create opportunities for the community to connect with the water, learn valuable skills, and experience the joys of the maritime world — regardless of ability, background, or financial means. Thank you for your support of our mission!
Thank You to Our Presenting Sponsors!
To be announced. Contact us with interest.
Registration Information
Registration fee: $50 per boat entry.
Building your cardboard boat: Boats are built using only cardboard, tape, paint, and glue and compete in races, 2 by 2, and vie for the fastest time in 4 divisions - Kids Crew (12 and under), Teen Crew (13-18), Adult (19&up), and Mixed Ages Crews.
Awards: Fastest Time Awards in each division; Crowd Favorite and Judge's Awards - Most Creative & Most Dramatic Sinking
Email us with any questions about sponsorship or registration: info@bayfrontcenter.org
Day of the Event
Registration: Begins at 9 AM; Located in the registration tent in front of the BMC Building. Walk-on participants accepted day of event. All racers/parent's of minors will be required to fill out a liability waiver at check-in. After registering and signing in, you will be directed to the boat staging area, between the sidewalk and pavilion. Volunteers will advise you where to place your boat to store prior to the parade and your race.
Parade: Line-up at 10am; Parade 10:30am - You will be directed to line-up on the sidewalk next to the boat staging area. The parade will follow along the sidewalk, around the BMC, and back to the boat staging area. You may bring something with wheels to push your boat on the sidewalk for the parade (furniture dolly, etc) or your crew can carry it, if it is light enough. This is a great opportunity to try to get votes for the “Crowd Favorite” award!
Race Times: Races start at 11am. Division and individual boat race times will be announced and displayed at the event.
Sponsorship & Donation Opportunities
Thinking about getting your staff or co-workers together to build a boat? Or would your organization like to work together with a local school and sponsor their boat?! A sponsorship is the perfect way to enter the regatta as a team, support local youth, and be recognized for helping us provide maritime education and sailing for Erie's community.
Contact us if you would like to donate an item or gift certificate to support the event or with any questions. info@bayfrontcenter.org
Check out our past regatta photo galleries below for creative ideas for building your cardboard boat!
