The Politics of Cardboard

Aside from the parade, no event says Pioneer Days more than the cardboard boat races. Every year teams of would-be sailors build boats out of sheets of cardboard and broken down boxes and contact cement. They might end up resembling a shark, a bus, pirate ship, or if they started too late, just a plain old box. Every year the crews race their boats on Lemon Bay at Indian Mound Park, hoping to make it back to shore in one soggy piece. Every year. 

But this is the year of red tide. The environmental scourge had already forced the cancellation of the popular Michael O’Donnell Memorial Fishing Tournament. One day after the Pioneer Days Board made that tough call, Chris Phelps, Committee Chair, said she knew there was no way the race could go on at Indian Mound Park.  

William Shaw, a member of U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 87, the host organization for the races, knew Phelps was right. “I go out on patrols,” he said. “I wouldn’t put my kids in that water. It’s too polluted. It was either move it or cancel it.” And nobody wanted to cancel it.  

So what about a pool? There really was only one pool large enough in the area, with ample parking and room for vendors - The Ann Dever Regional Park Swimming Pool on San Casa Drive in Charlotte County. Phelps called Charlotte County Commissioner Bill Truex on his cell phone. He connected her to the powers-that-be in the Charlotte County Parks Department and they sealed the deal in less than 24 hours.  

“I thought it was a wonderful idea and opportunity,” said Sean Vitarelli, Aquatic Coordinator at the pool. He said that the main concern with hosting the boat race wasn’t the pool, but parking. To solve that problem, the park is opening all the lots at the facility. 

Moving the race to the pool also meant that there would be at least one Pioneer Days Event over the County line. Phelps sees the annual festival as pulling the two counties together, so saving the races and moving them to Charlotte felt like a win. Vitarelli agrees. “I think this is a great way to not only support our neighboring County, but also support the organization and the community.”   

Unfortunately, the move came at a cost. When the event left Sarasota County, organizers forfeited a $1000 Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) grant, even though there was no safe and suitable location on the Sarasota County side of Englewood to hold the races. 

But Charlotte County rolled out the red carpet for the races, donating the space, staff, including six lifeguards, and signage. “Our entire Recreation Division Team was instrumental in partnering with Englewood Pioneer Days to bring this event to our facility,” said Vitarelli. This Plan B worked out really well,” said Phelps. “And there’s not a bad seat in the house.” 

Shaw has been leading the boat building demonstrations where wannabe racers learn the do’s and don’ts of cardboard boats. He and his fellow Flotilla members will monitor the race, with an emphasis on safety. Shaw says that just like a race on the open water, every participant will be required to wear a lifejacket. The Auxiliary will supply lifejackets to those who don’t have them.  

Sailors in the youth division will race their boats on a traditional triangle course in the shallow end of the Olympic size pool and the adults will race in the deeper water. The winners will go home with trophies, courtesy of Lasbury-Tracy Realty.  

Walsh sees advantages of the change of venue for both the racers and the spectators. “You’re not out in the burning sun and you don’t have to walk over oyster shells.”  

The Cardboard Boat Race takes place on September 1 at Ann Dever Memorial Regional Park, 6791 San Casa Drive, Englewood. Registration begins at 8:30 am. Doors open for spectators at 9 am and the races begin at 10 am. Registration is free for all youth teams of 10 and younger, thanks to support from Tiffany Square Bingo. Entry fee for ages 11 to 15 is $20 and $30 for teams age 16 and up. Spectators should bring chairs, and all in attendance are invited to stay for one hour after the races for open swimming. There will be food and beverages available. For more information or to register, visit englewoodpioneerdays.com or call the Park at 941-681-3743.