WATKINS GLEN, NY (WENY) -- A summer staple in the Finger Lakes region returns on June 18th, after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

Watkins Glen Promotions is celebrating the return of the Waterfront Festival and Cardboard Boat Regatta, at Seneca Harbor Park from 11AM - 8PM. The day-long event features family-friendly activities, as well as booths by local food and beer vendors, community agencies, and businesses. 

One of the highlights of the festival is the annual cardboard boat regatta, where teams of all ages construct a seaworthy vessel and attempt to maneuver their boat around the Seneca Harbor marina without sinking. The boats can only be created out of cardboard, duct tape and hot glue; nails, staples, plastic or other materials are not allowed. The boats will be on display on the "concourse de cardboard" from 11AM to 1:30PM, and the regatta kicks off at 2 and runs until 4PM; openings for teams are still available - for a boater rules and a registration packet, click here. 

The public can vote for their favorite cardboard boat, including categories for best theme, best boat name, people's choice, and best sinking!

The event also features live music by the local band Rust, from 5 - 8PM. 

To learn more about the Waterfront Festival, visit https://watkinsglen.com/waterfront-festival/.