Does the thought of designing and building your own cardboard contraptions float your boat? Then you need to take part in Bristol Harbour Festival’s cardboard boat race this year. Back July 14 to 16, Bristol’s biggest free festival expects over 250,000 visitors to hang around Harbourside that weekend.
Putting local talent at the forefront this 2023, Bristol Harbour Festival will be jam-packed with the best of Bristol’s music scene, world-class circus performers and on-the-water activities. But it’s the spectacular return of the much-loved cardboard boat racing we’re most excited for. And you can still get involved this 2023!
Last year’s festival saw over 100 cardboard boats take to the water, built by 700 school children in Bristol, with the first boat over the finish line made by Ashton Gate Primary School. (Who claimed a £100 prize for the four successful young boat-makers.) This year, numerous mass launches will set sail from the Pontoon area near Prince Street Bridge throughout the festival weekend.
Bristol Harbour Festival is again on the hunt for businesses, families and schools to participate. They are invited to take part in a cardboard boat-making workshop, which aims to support young people in thinking about their future as well as that of the city. The ‘My Future My Choice’ project is a collaboration between schools, universities, businesses, charities, the Royal Navy, families and community groups across Bristol.
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “The Harbour Festival is at the centre of our internationally renowned cultural programme and the biggest showcase of Bristol’s culture and heritage that there is. The festival provides inspiration and entertainment for communities across the city as well as the thousands who travel huge distances to take in its sights and sounds. The cardboard boat races are always a highlight of the weekend’s festivities.”
How do I get involved with the cardboard boat race?
This year’s school races will see primary school children in groups of four build a cardboard Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter. Any schools wishing to participate should contact My Future My Choice at info@myfuturemychoice.co.uk or 0117 3290387. More than 100 boats will compete for £100. Meanwhile, sponsors GWR will offer free rail travel to Bristol Temple Meads, where participating students can catch the Packet Boat to boat-building workshops throughout the year.
Sunday’s racing boats will this year be piloted by teams of families, who will bring to life models of the Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter or The Matthew. Taking place on the historical ship, MV Balmoral, on both Saturday, July 1 and 8, tickets are now on sale here.
Businesses and groups of friends are also encouraged to get involved, building cardboard boats to race around a specifically developed course in the water. If your business would like to get involved, register here. Cardboard trophies will be awarded for speed, innovation, team spirit and sinking dramatically!