In years past, Hannibal youngsters sailed handmade rafts on the mighty Mississippi during the annual Raft Race. Today’s youngsters use cardboard and duct tape to construct their watercraft and take a leap of faith hoping their vessels can hold up in the waters at the Hannibal Aquatic Center.
The sixth annual Hannibal Parks & Recreation Department Cardboard Boat races will be June 25 at the Hannibal Aquatic Center.
Registration deadline for the Cardboard Boat Races is June 22. The cost is $10 per team.

Youngsters team up to build their best cardboard boat and attempt to ride in their boats for as long as possible before the boat sinks. Boaters are tasked with building a functional craft with only cardboard and duct tape. Jenna McDonald, aquatics director at the Hannibal Aquatics Center, said, the participants get creative in their design. We’ve had a little bit of everything, which is what makes it so much fun. It’s fun for the spectators as well.“
Boat check-in is 9 a.m. June 25, with the first launch at 10 a.m.
Each boat must have two passengers, ages 6-16. Rules are on the hannibalparks website and available at the HPR office, 320 Broadway.
Trophies will be awarded to winners in the following categories:
• Fastest Boat
• Titanic Award
• Best Decorated
• Can’t Believe It’s Cardboard
McDonald said the lifeguards at the Hannibal Aquatic Center help participants get into the boats and make sure they make it safely to the other side, while also serving as judges for the contests.

https://www.hannibalparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-Cardboard-Boat-Race-Waiver.pdf

2022-Cardboard-Race-Rules.pdf (hannibalparks.org)