Lake Ellyn Cardboard Regatta 20th Anniversary Celebration Underway

For some, the sky’s the limit. For others, it’s the bottom of the sea. For everyone, it’s the 20th anniversary of the Lake Ellyn Cardboard Regatta.

Over the past two decades, thousands have competed and even more have come to watch. We're inviting all to return and join the fun.

This year’s regatta takes place at Lake Ellyn Park on Saturday, June 29 at 12 p.m. The event is free to spectators.

A special addition to this year is the paddle board race. Participants can test their balance while standing and paddling a cardboard paddle board 50 feet out and back. The last person standing with the fastest time receives a first place trophy. Entries receive five sheets of corrugated cardboard to build a paddle board.

Space is limited to ten paddle boards. The entry fee for paddle boards is $25 for residents and $38 for non residents.

This year’s festivities include a coloring contest, commemorative give-aways for participants and limited edition t-shirts for sale to the public. We’d love to see the whole town participate in this annual tradition and encourage local businesses to decorate their windows for the regatta.

The coloring contest is for children, ages three through eight. Regatta rules prevent them from sailing, but they can participate by creating a picture of what their boat would look like if they could sail one.

Entrants receive a 12 inch by 12 inch piece of cardboard to create their image. All media is acceptable. Entry forms can be picked up at Main Street Recreation Center, 501 Hill Avenue, during regular business hours.

Bring completed pictures to the band shell in Lake Ellyn Park the day of the regatta for judging and display between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Cost to enter is $5 per child/picture. Entries should include the child’s name, age, address and phone number printed on the back.

Regatta rules, boat building information and online registration can be found on the Glen Ellyn Park District website and in the park district spring/summer program guide. The boat entry fee is $50 for park district residents and $75 for non residents. Each entry receives ten sheets of corrugated cardboard to build a boat.

Entry deadline for boats and paddle boards is Friday, June 28 at 12 p.m. For more information about the regatta, please call the Glen Ellyn Park District at 630-858-2462.