The second Cardboard Boat Regatta will be making waves at Lake Oconee this summer. Mariners from all over the area can band together to create a ship of their choice for the annual competition, complete with a Parade of Beauty, Boat Race and Boat Demolition, at the Village Pond on Lake Oconee.  

The event will be held Aug. 14, with Aug. 21 set as the rain date. The entrance fee to register a cardboard masterpiece is $50. The last day to enter a boat and sign up for the competition is July 30.

Samantha Duthler, managing director of the event, said this year the Tropical Breeze Steel Drum Band will provide the musical atmosphere. Those attending the Boat Regatta can be entertained by the majestic beauty and strength of the cardboard boat-wonders, while also being swept away by the mystical sound of steel drums.

The Boat Regatta will begin at 2 p.m. ending with a boat demolition around 6 p.m. Once there, spectators can purchase votes for their favorite boat, with all the money earned by the votes going to the boat’s charity of choice. After the Parade of Beauty and the vote tally, all of the boats participating in the race will be split into their heats and compete. The boats will race several times, with all scores being recorded and tallied to produce a winner.

Around 5:30, boaters will be given a choice to participate in a boat demolition. “The Last Boat Afloat” will be given the “Unsinkable Molly Brown” award. Jackie Greer, marketing coordinator for Lake Oconee Village, offered up further explanation about the coveted award.

“The Last Boat Afloat competition is a blast as the teams attack each other’s boats in attempts to sink them while keeping their own boat afloat. This is a fun day for all, while supporting friends, local business and charities.”

Last year’s competition yielded boats of all types, including a pirate ship, Viking war ship and a canoe. These life-sized boats can also carry their builders or sailors. In the previous boat race competition, one boat held 10 riders.

This year’s competition features boat with names including: “Puff the Magic Dragon,”

“SS Redemption-Spotlight Theaters,” and the “Loko Okonee.” The companies participating in the Regatta include the Spotlight Theater Company, Longshots Bar, Del Webb, Reynolds Plantation Marina, Sycamore Oconee Real Estate, Singleton Marine Group and Accu-Grafix. Each team has also paired with a favorite charity for which their vote money will be donated.

“Lake Oconee Village is thrilled to host the second annual Cardboard Boat Regatta at the VILLAGE pond. The merchants will be offering Regatta attendees VILLAGE specials starting at 10 a.m. at the VILLAGE stroll. With more than 1,700 (people) in attendance last year, we are excited about the possibilities of this year’s turnout,” Greer said. “This is an event that truly benefits the entire community and is certain to deliver an unforgettable experience for not only participants but spectators as well.”