World Championship Cardboard Boat Race

By: © Nelson Taylor 2008

Festival Location: Heber Springs, AR, USA

Festival State: Arkansas Festivals

Festival Type(s): Bizarre Festivals, Bizarre Sports Events

Leave it to Bill Clinton's home state to perfect the art of keeping a cardboard boat from sinking. Every July since 1987 folks from around Arkansas and its environs have retreated to Greers Ferry Lake to race homemade boats, boats fashioned from cardboard, duct tape, glue and paint. "Certain sealants are okay too," says Bill Inman of the Heber Springs Chamber. "Just as long as its not epoxy or fiberglass."

How the hell do they stay afloat? "A lot of times they don't," Inman says. "But you have to remember that there's lots of laminated cardboard that's really quite strong." Hint: don't forget about cardboard poster tubes, which can be used as pontoons. While boats have traditionally been propelled by paddles, in 1999, the racing board voted to include creative propulsion devices as long as they are human-powered. Think paddleboats fueled by persistent peddling.

70-100 boats, with crews ranging anywhere from one to eight people, cut the water through a 200-yard course. That is, as long as they don't sink first. Yet such unworthy engineers still have a shot at a prize, the Titanic award, which is reserved for the most dramatic downing. The best craft in recent years was a 42.5-foot replica of the U.S.S. Missouri, which, though slow, made it across the finish line. While spectating is free, the entry fee for the race is $15 per person.