Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Voyager Media Publications • shorewoodsentinel.com
Vol. 19 No. 31
guest column
Crossroads pre-party for families with special needs
Event to feature rides, food, Kids Zone and more
By steWArt WArren STAFF REPORTER It’s time to sink or sail. And you’ll go for glory in a homemade boat, a vessel made of simple materials: cardboard and duct tape. That’s right. Cardboard and duct tape. The village of Shorewood is having its second Cardboard Boat Regatta at 2 p.m. on July 26 at Towne Center Park, 1 Towne Center Blvd., Shorewood. The event is free and open to individuals, families and businesses, said Denise Schmidt, recreation, business and special event planner for the village. There’s no need to register in advance. In fact, anyone can show up at the park between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. on July 26 and participate, Schmidt said. There are some rules, however. The boat must be made only of regular cardboard and duct tape. And the more decorated the boat is, the better, but there are rules about that, too. “The decorations cannot impact the seaworthiness,” Schmidt said, explaining that special paints that might make the boat watertight cannot be used, for example. There will be prizes for fastest time across the pond, best boat decorating theme and most spectacular sink. Last year, Shorewood Building Inspector Jose Zavala made the biggest splash while taking on water. He was the captain of the Shorewood Chamber of Commerce’s boat, a ship that looked like a shark. “He went down like a rock,” Schmidt said. “He ended up on his back, blowing water out of his mouth like a whale, towing the boat to shore and doing the backstroke! It was an absolutely spectacular sinking.” Don’t worry -this won’t be like the Titanic. The Troy Fire Protection District has its boat in the water during the competition, and firefighters are ready to assist if there are any real problems in the 10-foot deep pond. Sailors also are required to provide their own life vests and wear them while in the water, Schmidt said.
see ‘sAil’ PAge 3
The Details. Ryan and McKenna Quigley of
Wilmington competed in last year’s Cardboard Boat Regatta, rowing the Shorewood Chamber of Commerce’s entry that was meant to look like a shark. McKenna Quigley won a trophy for the fastest race time in last year’s Cardboard Boat Regatta. (PHOTOS COURTESY OF VILLAGE OF SHOREWOOD)
Last year’s pre-party for families with special needs was so popular that the event will be held again at this year’s annual Shorewood Crossroads Festival. The festival will open two hours early at 1 p.m. Aug. 1 for an exclusive pre-party designed specifically for families that include children with special needs. The annual festival, Kim Lamansky, which runs Aug. 1-3 Shorewood Area at Four Seasons Park. Chamber of Note: The festival will Commerce President, open two hours early said rides, food, a Kids at 1 p.m. Aug. 1 for an Zone and other events exclusive pre-party designed for the designed specifically families with special for families that needs will make the include children with special needs. day a family favorite for years to come. Lamansky said families with children with special needs appreciate the more relaxed, quiet setting the pre-party gives them. “Eternal stimulation is cut down considerably, and the limited amount of attendees helps families enjoy the park,” she explained. Families who want to attend the two hour pre-party are asked to RSVP by July 29 by calling the chamber office at 815-725-2900 or by going to www.CrossroadsFest.com. The annual festival, which runs Aug. 1-3 at Four Seasons Park, will feature all the events, activities and entertainment that festival-goers have come to expect over the years. Fireworks, live music, car show, parade, hot dog eating, bags competition, Beautiful Baby Contest, bingo, carnival rides, and a variety of food vendors will provide something for everyone. Marianne Eisenbrandt