Events

Third Annual Cardboard Boat Race, Saturday October 16, 2010

They say that the third time is a charm and they sure were right. You could not ask for a more beautiful day for racing. Boat building began early as the cardboard was unwrapped and participants gathered their treasured pieces of cardboard and headed back to their tents to begin creating their masterpieces of maritime engineering. Our favorite part of this whole event begins to happen right away. We got to watch as these competitively natured people took the time to help one another. An older child helped carry a large piece of cardboard for one of the smaller children on an opposing team and people who have had success in the past made suggestions to the new comers at the event and friendships were made while boats were being created. That is the magic that makes all the work worthwhile and why we will keep doing this year after year. Smiling faces everywhere and you can almost see the ideas on their faces as someone picks out a certain piece of cardboard that would fit perfectly on their vessel. Parents and children working together as one building a cardboard boat but more importantly, building memories that will last a lifetime. The sense of community this event brings is a classic example of why the City of Hollywood is truly “Like Nowhere Else”. The boat building went on for a good part of the morning and we watched in wonder as plain cardboard transformed into beautiful creations. Imagination and ingenuity were everywhere and let us not forget hunger, yes the participants were getting hungry I could tell by the way they all lined up to get one or two of Billy Bobs Belly Busters and something to drink. Their appetites were suppressed but we could still see the hunger in their eyes only now it was a hunger to win that drove them on. The staff and the judges took a walk through the Marina examining the seaworthy watercrafts as race time approached. While walking back I couldn’t help but take notice of Parents and Children laughing together, Friends joking with new found Friends about how badly they were going to beat each other in the race and a genuine overall spirit of unity that makes all of us involved in putting together this event proud to have played a small part in it.

1:00pm Race Time:

This year we started out a little differently with a race between the Benson family and the O’Sheehan family. Hollywood’s Vice Mayor and City Manager, each with their pride on the line gave it their all and finished just a little wetter than when they started. (That’s a polite way of saying they both sank) Not to worry, both families walked away with their pride in tact because they competed admirably as did all of our participants. They set the example for the day as they gave each other a big high five congratulatory handshake. That’s the kind of sportsmanship we like to see. The racers lined up at the boat ramp and hit the water running in groups of three, all of them intent on winning a plastic trophy. Well the truth be told, I think that what they really came to do was enjoy a day with family and friends doing something that’s fun for everyone and that’s the way it should be. Excitement filled the afternoon as race after race these competitors gave us a show we won’t soon forget. Heart pounding non stop action was what we saw from start to finish. All of the participants raced in the spirit of friendly competition and true sportsmanship. We would like to thank all of you for making this day a success.

Race results: Each and every one of you who participated, watched or helped make this event happen are Winners. You keep making magic happen year after year. Congratulations to all of you and our sincerest thanks.

First Place: “CRA 3” - CRA Department

Second Place: "SS Pepperoni" - Katy Capone (Flickerlite)

Third Place: "Bat Cat" - Ken Smith and Team

Most Team Spirit: "Smells Like Team Spirit" - Jim Melton and Team

Most Innovative Design: "Willy Wonka" - Peter Weichhan and Team

Most Spectacular Sinking: "Airacobra" - Riley Barrett and Team

To all of you who attended and participated in this years event, The City of Hollywood and the Hollywood Marina want to say a very special THANK YOU to all of you. You make this a magical event and without you it simply would not happen. We look forward to seeing you back next year.

Mr. William Vulpis		Marina Staff		Ms. Cathy Feller
He’s not singing the blues! Once again Bill Vulpis worked double duty as both Chef and Master of Ceremonies! Bill is the Operations Manager for Building and Grounds at Public Works but to us he will always be Billy Bob the famous maker of the Belly Buster hot dog. Yummm!		Who day after day do their best to make us the best. Judy Felicetty Frank Rizzo Ed Scirghio Charlie Nelson Doug Weglarz Omar Vera and Mike Bentley A Special Thanks to Phillip Barone for all your help in everything.		Cathy is a Information Technology Technician at I.T. I guess you could call her our “IT” woman. If you needed something to be done Cathy did “IT” and with a smile. Cathy really had “IT” going all day long. Thanks Cathy.