The annual Fox Valley United Way Cardboard Boat Race on Aug. 19 at Phillips Park in Aurora. 

The 15th annual Fox Valley United Way What Floats Your Cardboard Boat Race will be held Aug. 19 on the shores of Mastodon Lake in Phillips Park in Aurora.

Spectators will be able cheer on boats created by businesses, organizations and families — the action promises to be fun and fierce as usual. There will be some spectacular sinkings as well.

The event combines friendly competition, family entertainment, great food and music. The community can come together to challenge one another to build and sail seaworthy ships.

The race also gives folks a chance to meet staff from some of the social service agencies that United Way supports in Kane and Kendall counties. While it’s a great day, it’s all about the work that these organizations do every day to help those in need in the community.

Aside from being a great time for all involved, the boat race is also a great opportunity for a company or organization to encourage employee/volunteer team-building and morale.

Working together on creating a cardboard boat and then sailing it to victory provides memories that last a lifetime. In addition to press coverage of the event, there will be a posting of a video after the race that can be shared on companies’ websites or on their social media accounts.

The Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry will provide free sheets of cardboard to all boat builders.  The cardboard may be picked up on Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. except Wednesday, July 5 at 1110 Jericho Road in Aurora.

— Fox Valley Cardboard Boat Race taking registration –