Boat races listed as a top 10 wacky event

The World Championship Cardboard Boat Races will take place July 31 at Sandy Beach in Heber Springs. In the past, the races have gained local, national, and international attention for being an “extreme” event. Every year The Sun-Times covers the traditional races with stories, photos, and web postings.
So far this year, three nationally known media and web outlets have talked or written about the unique races. TripAdvisor.com, the Today Show on NBC, and Southern Living magazine have shown their spotlights on Heber Springs, even if just for a brief moment.
TripAdvior.com announced at the end of June America’s Top 10 Wackiest Summer Events. As you’ve probably already figured out, the cardboard boat races were listed within that top 10 list. The races made it in at number nine. It is described as “4,000 spectators gather to cheer on competing corrugated cardboard crafts”.
Melisa Gardner, community relations director for the Heber Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, said, “Locally we know there is something very special about the cardboard boat race, seeing that this is the 24th year of the event. To consistently receive national recognition and appreciation makes conducting the event a worthwhile endeavor. Looking at the other top 10 Wackiest Summer Events, I would say we are in good company.”
The races were preluded on the list by events such as the 15th Annual Redneck Games in Dublin, Ga., the Miss Curvaceous Crustacean Beauty Pageant at Virginia Beach, Va., and the Cow Chip Throw in Prairie du Sac, Wis.
On July 5 The Today Show on NBC aired part of the TripAdvisor’s list. The cardboard boat races were one of a select few to receive a mention on the popular show. Kathy Lee and Hoda didn’t grab the concept of a cardboard boat, but talked about it nonetheless.
In the July issue of Southern Living the races are listed with 11 other July events from around the country. The listing also boasts other events at the races including the sand sculpting contest, volleyball matches, and the always memorable, watermelon eating contest.
Look to the Friday edition of The Sun-Times for more in-depth information about this year’s races and events.