The waters of the Middle Fork River are about to get a little more… cardboard. On August 30, the Forest Preserve’s Middle Fork Campground Swim Beach will host the 2nd Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.

The regatta challenges teams of one to two people to design, build, and race boats using nothing more than cardboard, duct or packing tape, and string.

Participants can either build their boats on-site between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. with materials provided while supplies last, or arrive with a pre-constructed boat ready for inspection by 2:30 p.m. Races begin at 3:30 p.m., when crews will take to the river armed with nothing but a single paddle and their determination to stay afloat.

The regatta is free and open to the public, with no pre-registration required. Spectators are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets to the swim beach and enjoy an afternoon of splashes, sinks, and plenty of laughs.