UPDATE JUNE 8: The Cardboard Boat Regatta has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 18. See details below for the new event schedule.
By Patricia Hall, FairfaxFamilyFun.com
Springfield Days returns soon! This two-day event is a community-wide celebration that takes place the weekend after Memorial Day each year in Springfield, Virginia. The festival, June 4-5, 2016 this year, is actually several events rolled into one, offering fun options for the whole family (even the furry members!) with events at various locations. The festival’s biggest events are the Pet Expo, Market Expo, car show, and the Carboard Boat Regatta, a unique event that is just what it sounds like. There’s also a book sale and the Springfield 6K. Admission to most events is free; only the Springfield Days Stride has a small registration fee of $10. The Springfield Days schedule is:
Saturday, June 4, 2016
– Springfield 6K, 8:30 am: Walk, jog, or run along this nice rolling course around Lake Accotink. The 6K (3.72 miles) course is timed and is dog-friendly. There will be food, music, and a sponsor expo.
– PetFest , 9:00 am to 3:00 pm: Enjoy this outdoor, pet-focused event with rescue adoptions, pet photos, vendors, food, and more.
– Market Expo, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm: Shop from dozens of local businesses and crafters.
– Car Show, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm: See all kinds of cars, including classics, street rods, muscle cars, customs and exotics.
– Book Sale, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm: Get a deal on like-new and vintage books for adults and children, with most items priced at $1 or $2.
Our two favorite Springfield Days events are Saturday’s PetFest at South Run Park and Sunday’s Cardboard Boat Regatta at Lake Accotink Park. PetFest is a great gathering for people and their pets that features community organizations and animal-related vendors, plus entertainment, a pet psychic, pet photos, and lots of space for your four-legged friends to enjoy the great outdoors.
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Cardboard Boat Regatta, Watch as determined captains and their crews try to win the race before springing a leak, sinking or sinking! This event has been rescheduled from June 5 (it was cancelled that day due to predicted storms). The new times are: 7 am boat arrivals begin, 8 am judging on various categories, 9-11 am boat races, followed by an award ceremony at approximately 11:30 am. The event is at Lake Accotink Park in Springfield.
The Cardboard Boat Regatta is exactly what the name describes: a competition to see who can make the best boat out of cardboard and duct tape — and who can keep it afloat the longest! In this 27-year-tradition, community groups including scout troops, clubs, students from Fairfax County School Age Child Care after-school programs, and even business organizations compete in various “heats” by organization type. The goal: complete a designated course and get back on land the fastest, without sinking or springing a leak. The crews are very limited on what materials they can use to create their boats, and it’s neat to see the creative ways in which they rise to the challenge.
Before the races, the cardboard boats (and their crews) vie for prizes including Best Costume, Most Spirit, and Best Buoyant Beginning. Judging of the boats and crews begins at noon, with the races themselves at 2 pm. Admission is free and parking at Lake Accotink Park is $4 on the day of the race. See some of our photos from the 2014 event below!
See more details on the Springfield Days site.
2014 Cardboard Boat Regatta photos (c) P. Hall
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