106°F
weather icon Windy

Race them well, they did: ‘Star Wars’ theme popular among cardboard boat builders

The force was strong with the participants at the 16th annual Cardboard Boat Race presented by the Boulder City Parks and Recreation Department on July 20. Kids of all ages packed the Boulder City Pool for an evening of “Star Wars”-themed boating.

Over 20 children made boats representing their favorite “Star Wars” vehicle or character. Mayor Rod Woodbury helped judge the boat contest and happily talked to the children about their creations. Parks and Recreation Commission Chairperson Carol Lelles also judged the event.

Cash Arioste, 5 and his brother Colton, 4, are fans of the dark side and made black boats with silver racing stripes in the shape of “Star Wars’” two most infamous villains: Darth Vader and Kylo Ren.

Colton said he and his brother made the boat with his mom.

“My mom helped me paint my boat and I put the racing stripes on myself because I liked them.”

Colton and Cash’s boats made it through the race without sinking and they were nothing but smiles at the end of the race.

Avery Huysentruyt, 12, is a veteran of the cardboard boat race and was excited to put her boat-building and driving skills to the test for the fifth year in a row.

“I really like building a boat,” Avery said. “I have done the boat race a lot now and I think I have a better boat this year because I got to think about last year and what I did wrong and how much cardboard I should use. It is really cool.”

This year Avery created a boat in the shape of the robot R2D2, which was a huge success with the judges. She won second place for best Rebel boat.

Boulder City Pool Aquatic Coordinator Jacob Andersen said the “Star Wars” theme was a roaring success.

“Everyone always looks forward to the boat race, but the ‘Stars Wars’ theme brought out some really cool boats this year,” Andersen said. “We have a lot of Rebel and Imperial fighters here tonight and I think the kids are really enjoying it.”

Mikayla Martorano, 10, and her sister Mekenzie, 7, made competing boats with Mikayla creating an Imperial Darth Vader boat and Mekenzie making a Rebel Princess Leia boat.

“I made an Imperial boat because my sister was being a Rebel so I thought I would do something different and both our boats did great.”

Mikayla and her sister won third place for best Imperial boat and best Rebel boat, respectively.

Mekenzie said it was really cool to win an award for her boat.

“I like winning awards because you don’t get them very often.”

Win or lose kids were smiling as they pushed and paddled their boats through the water hoping they didn’t sink. Many of the boats made it across the pool and others made it across in pieces.

Taylor Reeves, 5, had no problem getting her boat across the pool as she floated it to victory.

Taylor said she had a lot of fun racing and that she always knew she would win.

At the end of the night Andersen said he would have a lot of trouble finding a theme that could beat “Star Wars” for next year’s event.

“It is going to be tough finding a theme as good as this one,” Andersen said. “We will have to wait and see what we can figure out.”

No matter what the theme is, a lot of the kids will be excited to race their boats next year.

Contact reporter Max Lancaster at mlancaster@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9401. Follow him on Twitter @MLancasterBCR.

Best Imperial Boat

First: Drew Huysentruyt

Second: Keifer Benson

Third: Mikayla Martorano

Best Rebel Boat

First: Avery Benson

Second: Avery Huysentrayt

Third: Mekenzie Martorano

Most Original Boat

First: James Hiler

Second: Jak Sheldon

Third: Sammy Schultz

Mayor’s Choice

Taylor Reeves

Titanic Award

Avery Benson

MOST READ
THE LATEST
Summer is a time to be safe

It’s a safe bet that the one thing we all have in common every summer is managing the extreme heat and our body’s reaction to the excessive temperature prevalent in our geographic location.

Free fishing fun

Logan Davis, along with his kids Winter and Maverick, tried their best to catch a fish Saturday, along with all the many others who enjoyed the city’s free fishing day at the pond at Veterans Memorial Park.

Ordinance promotes cleanliness, accessibility of public places

Individuals camping in public spaces has increased dramatically in the past few years across the nation. On May 27 the city of Boulder City joined the cities of Reno, Las Vegas, Henderson, and Sparks, along with Clark, Washoe, and Nye counties in passing a measure to expand the prohibition on camping in public places within city limits. The new ordinance goes into effect on June 19, 2025.

And all that jazz (in the park)

A relatively small but appreciative crowd turned out Saturday evening for Jazz in the Park, sponsored by the Boulder City Parks and Recreation Department and the Las Vegas Jazz Society. The evening featured the Marlane Coker Quintet and guest at Bicentennial Park.

Flushing faux pas may lead to clogs, costly repairs

When it comes to plumbing clogs, we can definitely apply the adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”…or in this case, a quart of Liquid Plumr.

Art exhibition to showcase work of Connie Ferraro

Connie Ferraro has worn many hats in her life. They have included Broadway dancer, actress, wife of longtime Boulder City Mayor Bob Ferraro and these days, artist.

Year ending on high note at Mitchell Elementary

From the first day to the last, it takes a great deal of energy to get through a school year. The students, staff, and families are ceaseless in their efforts to ensure that we have a great year from beginning to end. We are successful because we are supported by our community.

Mental health in an aging population

The American Psychiatric Association defines mental illness as health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking, and behaviors.

Sunflower Breakfast celebrates King’s parent volunteers

Boulder City’s commitment to community was on full display at this year’s annual Sunflower Breakfast, a heartwarming event dedicated to honoring the incredible volunteers who help our school thrive.

Reframing language in mental health

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of.