Cardboard Boat Regatta to be held at Seahawk Park in Cape Coral

Cardboard boats have been in storage for a year after the Cape Coral Rotary Club canceled its popular event, the Cardboard Boat Regatta.

“We’ve always built the cardboard boats every year,” Jeff Beluske said.

But fecal matter discovered in the Bimini Basin during this time in 2018 held off the race. Now, it’s back on this year at a new location.

MORE: High-levels of fecal matter in Bimini Basin results in event cancellation

The Cardboard Boat Regatta will be held at Seahawk Park in Cape Coral Saturday.

Last year, the city found high levels of fecal matter bacteria at its past location. Bimini Basin happens to be cleared and shows a good water quality range after city testing. Still, it was decided to pick a new location for 2019.

Participants said new efforts to develop the basin area also pushed the event to a the new location.

“We’ve gotta go along with it,” Beluske said.

The cardboard boats will touch the water at 10 a.m. The race starts at noon.

The new location does present some challenges for the event. But the hope is that the hundreds of spectators will come either way.

“There’s no trees, and the back is kinda steep. But we’ll make it work,” Beluske said. “Hopefully this isn’t too far out of the way for the public to come see.”

Organizers recommend spectators bring a chair and umbrella for shade.