The Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta

On August 1st, 2026, witness Salem's favorite summer spectacle with the glorious return of the Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta,
About this Event

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that Salem loves a cardboard boat race! On August 1st, 2026, witness Salem's favorite summer spectacle with the glorious return of the Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta at Salem Maritime National Historical Park!

400+ years of Salem’s history has all led to this…

Established in 1938, Salem Maritime National Historical Park was created to preserve Salem’s rich maritime history. Since 2023, this cherished legacy has included triumphant cardboard boats. In 2026, we continue for the fourth year to add our exploits to that monumental story with the return of The Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta!

“I only regret that I have but one life to Cardboard Boat Race.” -Nathan Hale (probably)

On August 1, 2025, join us as we celebrate the Salem 400+ Heritage Days Parade and Festival. Following the parade, the cardboard boat race will kick off starting at 1:00pm, the tide waits for no one, with a series of competitive heats testing the engineering, ingenuity, determination, and artistry of our valiant registered participants. Launching from Derby Beach, each cardboard boat must hold at least two people, a Captain and their crew, who will paddle their ship out and around a questionably far buoy and back to the beach. Cherished trophies will be awarded in a series of competitive categories. This will be a cardboard boat race long remembered.

As part of the Salem 400+ Heritage Day Parade and Festival, this year’s boats will feature designs dedicated to the more than 400 years of Salem’s history or the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

Participation is limited to a muster of 40 boats.

All boats MUST register through this announcement to participate in the Regatta. PLEASE READ EVERYTHING BELOW BEFORE REGISTERING

• Registration is for EACH cardboard boat with at least TWO participants. There is no need to register for those looking to cheer on the Regatta from the shore.
• Registered Captains must have their boats checked in and on Derby Beach by 12:00pm on race day. All boats will be on display for review and appreciation prior to the official start of heats at 1:00pm.
• In 2026, all boats should be designed and decorated around a theme celebrating the 400th anniversary of Salem OR the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
• A pre-race safety briefing will take place at 12:30pm and all participants must sign a waiver before the start of the Regatta.
• An awards ceremony will commence following the end of the Regatta around 3:00pm. Just think of the bragging rights and the wave of adulation as you hoist a precious trophy from the third annual Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta.

Any questions should be directed to [email protected]