There is no doubt that the biggest draw for the Marine Heritage Festival is the annual Cardboard Boat Races and, this year, saw the largest number of participants.
Thousands of people gathered on the shore to watch boats that went from the homemade crafts to those that were more ‘engineered’.
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From the very young to the Family category, the over-19 in age to the new Corporate category, there were boats of every description.
The new Corporate category this year, encouraged companies and organizations to enter with a $100 fee that went into a fund. At the end of the race, the winner claimed the fund to donate to a favourite charity. This first year saw six participants to create a purse of $600.
The purse was won by Graham Starrs of Martin’s Cycle Shop in his kayak ‘the Fox’.
The winnings are to be donated to G. C. Huston Public School in Southampton. This is also the third time that Starrs has won overall.
After all heats were completed, any boats that remained afloat could donate a toonie ($2) and participate for a treasure.
Before the Corporate category began, medals were handed out to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each category.
Prized medals were presented by Captain Wayne Sparrow
Plans are already underway for next year’s Big Event.
