Shoal Creek Water Festival

Saturday, July 25, 2026 | 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Festival Overview

Join us for a family-friendly day along Shoal Creek as we celebrate community, water education, conservation, creativity, and outdoor fun. Guests can enjoy free kids’ activities, hands-on learning opportunities, entertainment, food available for purchase, free fruit, and several exciting races throughout the day.

Wildcat Glades Nature Group is excited to include festival partners Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri American Water, The Alliance of Southwest Missouri, and Joplin Parks and Recreation.

Conservation Education and Outdoor Learning

Explore more than twenty educational tents featuring conservation education, water awareness, wildlife learning, and responsible outdoor recreation opportunities. Guests of all ages will have the chance to discover practical ways to enjoy nature, protect local waterways, and care for the outdoors while participating in hands-on activities throughout the festival.

These tents are designed to make learning fun, interactive, and memorable. Families can ask questions, try activities, meet local partners, and leave with new ideas for being safe, respectful, and responsible when spending time outside.

Race Highlights

The day features three crowd-favorite races: the Kids Shoebox Boat Race, the Cardboard Boat Race, and the Duck Race. Each race offers a fun way for families, teams, and community members to participate, cheer, and support the festival.

Kids Shoebox Boat Race

Build it. Float it. Race it!

Schedule: People’s Choice Judging: 9:00–10:45 a.m. | Minnows Race: 11:00 a.m. | River Runners Race: Noon

• Mini-Minnows: Ages 3–6.
• Minnows: Ages 7–9.
• River Runners: Ages 10–12.

Registration deadline: Forms and the $5 non-refundable entry fee must be received by Thursday, July 23, 2026. An invoice will be emailed after registration, or participants may pay in the Nature Store at Shoal Creek Conservation Center.

To register, visit:  https://forms.gle/itTpoUNfB7mzcbEP9

Boat-building rules: Use a cardboard shoebox only for the main boat body and keep it no wider than 9 inches. Duct tape, water-based one-part paint, and Elmer’s White or Wood Glue are allowed.

Please leave these on shore: wood, metal, plastic boat bodies, waterproofed or treated cardboard, harmful substances, two-part paints, epoxy, resin, varnish, silicone, caulk, wax, Vaseline, polyurethane, staples, nails, clamps, foam core, pool noodles, or floaters.

Important note: Boats that do not follow the construction rules may still race, but they cannot win cash prizes.

Judging: Judges make the final call on rule questions. Any ties will be settled with a race-off.

Prizes: The first 50 registrants receive a free bag. Speed prizes are $25 for first place, $15 for second place, and $10 for third place. People’s Choice wins $25, and every penny counts as one vote!

Cardboard Boat Race

The Cardboard Boat Race is a creative team challenge where participants design, build, name, and race a human-powered boat made primarily from cardboard. Teams will race down Shoal Creek for fun, bragging rights, and unique awards.

• Communication: Work together to design, build, and troubleshoot your boat.
• Creativity: Bring your best theme, boat name, and decorative ideas.
• Teamwork: Build confidence, encourage one another, and enjoy the challenge.
• Problem-solving: Test your design skills and see whether your boat can stay afloat.
• Community spirit: Support the festival while making memories on Shoal Creek.

Race categories: Solo, Tandem, and Team. All boats must be human powered, and teams must provide their own paddles or oars.

• Adult Division: Ages 19 and up.
• Teen Division: Ages 13–18.
• Family or Group Division: At least one adult with children under age 13.

Event commitment: By entering the race, captains and crews agree to follow the construction rules, bring their completed boat to the wharf by 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, participate in the awards ceremony after the race, and clean up or remove their boat afterward.

• Register your boat by Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
• Make sure each crew member signs the Participant Waiver/Hold Harmless Agreement on race day.
• Ensure every crew member wears a personal flotation device. Please provide your own PFDs.
• Do not tow anything behind your boat for the safety of other racers.

Construction Rules

Boats must be built primarily from cardboard and approved fastening or sealing materials. Any part of the boat that touches the water—including the hull, decking, keel, cowling, superstructure, oar locks, and seating—must be cardboard.

To register your cardboard boat: https://forms.gle/odbd17iJ6xDGJbLg6

Duck Race

The Duck Race helps support the Water Festival while giving guests another exciting race to cheer on. Sponsor a duck for $5 each or three ducks for $10, then watch as the ducks race down Shoal Creek. Prizes will be awarded to the first three ducks to cross the finish line, with additional prizes selected by random draw.

• Sponsorship: $5 per duck or three ducks for $10.
• Race format: Ducks race down Shoal Creek toward the finish line.
• Prizes: Awards go to the first three ducks to finish, with remaining prizes selected by random draw.

To purchase ducks:  https://bit.ly/4vJiY0o