Shoal Creek Water Festival

Wildcat Park

Saturday, July 19, 2025, 10 am – 2:00 pm

Generously sponsored by Missouri American Water

This event is an absolute blast! Get ready for some awesome activities like cardboard boat races crafted by clever and brave participants, shoebox boat races where kids can showcase their cool creations, and a thrilling rubber duck race.  Plus, there will be snow cones, food, live entertainment, and tons of fun for the whole family! Want to join in on the cardboard or shoebox boat races? Please read below.

Please fill out the registration forms & return them to robin@wildcatglades.org.  Please remember to submit your registration fee.  That can be done on this website.  They are listed on the tickets.  If you have difficulties, contact us.  Don’t worry, we want you in the races!

Boat Entry Adults 2025

Boat Entry Teen 2025

https://bit.ly/CBRAdult

https://bit.ly/CardboardRaceTeen

Cardboard Boats

Participating in the Cardboard Boat Race is a fantastic way for your organization to bond and have a blast! Imagine designing, naming, building, and sailing your very own boat, cheered on by families and other team members on race day. This event offers some incredible benefits:

• Improves communication – Shouting about waterproofing over cardboard? Why not!
• Ignites creativity – Who knew cardboard could be transformed into such masterpieces?
• Strengthens relationships – Rowing together certainly brings folks closer.
• Boosts morale – Nothing beats the cheers of victory (or even hilarious defeat)
• Sharpens problem-solving skills – Can that cardboard handle the waves? Let’s find out.
• Promotes generosity – Sharing duct tape never felt so good.

The boats are made entirely from cardboard and powered by paddlers. They will race down Shoal Creek, competing for honor, glory, bragging rights, and unique trophies. Categories include Solo, Tandem, and Team.

By joining our fleet, you’ll:

• Have an unforgettable adventure – Seriously, this is one for the memory books.
• Be part of something epic – The cardboard fleet awaits you.
• Gain recognition and prestige – You’re going to be a legend.
• Support Wildcat Glades Park – Feel good while having fun.
• Race in a safe environment – Safety first, fun second.

COMMITMENT

Captains and crews eager to compete in the Shoal Creek Water Festival Cardboard Boat Race commit to the following:

• Build a boat using only cardboard and duct tape. Get creative!
• Make sure all boats are human powered (bring your own oars or paddles).
• Dive fully into the event, which includes:
• Bringing your completed boat to the wharf on Saturday, July 19 at 9 a.m.
• Participating in the brief awards ceremony after the race
• Cleaning up or removing your boat after the race
• Registering your boat by July 17th at 5 p.m.

Ready to set sail on this fun-filled journey? Let’s get crafting!

Construction Materials

• The ENTIRE boat must be built of cardboard, duct tape, and one-part polyurethane. (Any part of your boat that touches the water must be cardboard. This includes the hull, decking, keel, cowling, superstructure, oar locks, seating and Nuts, bolts, washers and staples are NOT allowed in hull construction. The cardboard may be as thick as you want, but may not be glued or attached to wood, plastic, fiberglass, etc.)
  • Only exceptions are the paddles & decorations
• Use cardboard boxes, “blocks”, carpet tubes
• NO pre-treated cardboard allowed
• NO wood, plastic, Styrofoam or fiberglass
• NO caulking compounds or two-part/mixed adhesives
• NO wrapping in plastic or fiberglass
• Decorations are encouraged as long as they don’t effect structural strength or buoyancy
• Boats CANNOT tow anything behind them for the safety of other
• Every crewmember must wear a PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICE (PFD) & proper Please provide your own PFDs.
• All crew members MUST sign a Participant Waiver/Hold Harmless Agreement on race Boats will not be allowed to race without a signed agreement from each race participant
• All boats are human powered (oars and paddles you provide are acceptable as propulsion tools)

Shoebox Boat Races for kids ages 3 to 12

Kids Shoebox Boat Race

Updated Shoebox Boat Rules and registration 2025

https://bit.ly/ShoeboxRace2025

People’s Choice Judging 9 to 11:45 Races Begin at Noon

Registration: Completed registration form and $5 entry fee (non-refundable) must be received by Wildcat Glades

Nature Group by Thursday, July 17, 2025

Mail check and registration to: Wildcat Glades Nature Group, P.O. Box 3063, Joplin, MO 64803 To pay by debit, call Robin Standridge at 417-291-3156 or you can pay directly in the Nature Store.

Allowable Materials – CARDBOARD SHOEBOXES ONLY – NO EXCEPTIONS – NO WIDER THAN 9 inches.

• Boats failing to comply with construction rules will race but are not eligible for cash prizes.
• Shoeboxes only to be used as boat’s main structure.
• Duct tape may be used. This is the only acceptable tape.
• Water based one-part paint.
• Elmer’s White or Wood Glue (or equivalent).

Banned Materials –

• NO wood, metal or plastic materials used to build boat body.
• NO cardboard materials that have been waxed, waterproof, sealed or reinforced or otherwise treated in manufacturing process.
• NO substance harmful to the environment.
• NO two-part paints (requiring hardener or catalyst, i.e.: no epoxy glue, resins or varnishes).
• NO silicon, caulks, tar wax, Vaseline, polyurethane or other waterproofing agents.
• NO staples, nails, clamps or foam core materials, including pool noodles or floaters.

Judging –

• Ties to be resolved by a race-off.
• Judges will have final decision on rule interpretation.

Prizes-

• First 50 registrants will receive a free bag.
• Cash prizes: $25/first place speed, $15/second place speed/ $10 third place
• $25 People’s Choice (to be determined by popular vote, 25 cents per vote – start raising your money now!)

Need help building your boat? View our website and Facebook page (Wildcat Glades) for ideas on boat building.  Visit: www.wildcatglades.org for more details and to register.  

Duck Race

🌊🐥 Get ready for a splashing good time at the most exciting duck race of the year! Join us on Saturday, July 19th, at 2:15 pm for a quacking adventure that you won’t want to miss!

Purchase your very own numbered duck and get in on the action—these little racers are available for buying until noon on race day. Not only will you be supporting your favorite nature group, but you also have a chance to snag amazing prizes totaling nearly $1000! 🎉

The best part? You don’t have to be present to win! If you’re lucky enough to snag a prize and decide to stick around, you’ll get the thrill of choosing your very own reward! But don’t worry if you can’t stay; we’ll securely hold your prize at the Wildcat Glades Nature Store (201 W Riviera Drive, Joplin, MO) for 30 days. Just remember to make arrangements for pickup, or else the prize will be forfeited.

So rally your friends, grab a duck, and let the race begin! It’s going to be a wild and wonderful day out in nature! 🦆✨