Scappoose family wins fastest time at Cardboard Boat Regatta
Cardboard boat Voluntold, captained by 4-year-old Ben Buechler, took first place at the Go 4th Cardboard Boat Regatta Thursday evening.
The six-member crew traveled from Scappoose, Oregon, to compete in the event, said Matt Stephens, who built the boat using cardboard and Elmer's wood glue. It took him 12 10-hour days to complete.
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Stephens said he saw an advertisement for the event on Facebook and sent it to his wife, who loves to build things out of cardboard for local parades.
"Next thing I know, we're building boats out of cardboard," he said.
The design included a functioning rudder, which Stephens said gave them an edge in the race. His wife's insistence on competing together inspired the boat's name, he said.
His wife also participated in the regatta as part of team Cardboard Queens. Stephens sailed on Voluntold with his brothers, daughter, niece and nephew Buechler.
Their competitors included Grocery Outlet's boat Longview Strong. This was the Grocery Outlet team's fifth year competing with the same boat.
Longview Strong made it to the finals against Voluntold and We the People '76, but took third place after the team missed a marker buoy early in the race and had to go back for it.
Smurfit Westrock donated cardboard for teams to build their boats.
Dannyka Baker said her team used donated cardboard for their boat, which was themed after the crossing of the Delaware to fit the event's theme of "America 250."
Baker was part of a team of six Cowlitz 911 employees. This was the team's second year competing, but she said they hope to continue every year.
Award winners
Voluntold took first place in Class 1, which includes boats propelled by rowing. The Longview Pioneer Lions were the only entrants in Class 2, which includes boats propelled by paddling.
The Pride of the Regatta award for most creative design went to Patriot Habitat.
Community House won best dressed for group costumes that included wigs and American flag capes.
Spirit of 76 won the Team Spirit award.
Slow Poke won the Titanic Award, given to the most spectacular sinking. The boat, crewed by a mother-and-son team, sank on its way to the starting line for the first race of the evening.
The Acorn Award for best in theme went to HFH Declaration.
Saturday Go 4th Schedule
8 a.m., parade lineup, 14th Avenue and Broadway Street.
9 a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m., kids festival, Lake Sacajawea.
9:45 a.m., Cowlitz Valley Runners' Go 4th 1 Mile Walk/Run, $15 per person for preregistration and $25 for same-day entry, starts in front of the Monticello Hotel. Register online at www.facebook.com/RunCowlitz. Participants can also donate to the local nonprofit Helping Every Veteran in Need when registering.
10 a.m.-8 p.m., Longview Fire Department's Hole-In-One Golf, Lake Sacajawea.
10 a.m.-11 p.m., food vendors open, Hemlock Plaza.
10 a.m.-11 p.m., marketplace vendors, Nichols Boulevard.
10 a.m., parade, starts at 14th Avenue and Broadway Street.
Noon-10 p.m., carnival, in front of R.A. Long High School.
Noon-10 p.m., live entertainment, Martin Dock, with NW Wind Ensemble from noon to 1 p.m., Stevie Starlight from 3-4 p.m., Funk Junkies from 4:30-6 p.m., Ovrwashed from 6:30-8 p.m., and Invaynve from 8:30-9:55 p.m.
1 p.m., Lions kids races, in front of R.A. Long High School.
1:30 p.m., Hot dog-eating contest and pie-eating contest for adults and kids.
3:30 p.m., Pacific Northwest Wrestling, Kessler Boulevard and Louisiana Street.
9:58 p.m.: Moment of silence.
10:15 p.m., fireworks display, Lake Sacajawea.
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