Annual race included 13 boats and nearly 300 spectators

On August 1, over 280 people gathered to witness the 23rd running of Taft Public Library's Great Cardboard Boat Race. The weather was beautiful as 13 boats took to the waters of Lake Nipmuc. Library officials say, spectators were treated to “spectacular sinkings, spirited competition, and a few nail-biting finishes.”

Here are the results from the event:

Two-Person Craft

1st Place: Ivan the Great (Isabella Panopio, Ivan Hedquist)

2nd Place: The Catastrophe (Cecilia Vandervalk, Andrew Moran)

Adults Only Craft

1st Place: Orca (Peg Nogueira, Jim Stewart)

2nd Place: Untitled (Tara Windsor racing for Greyson Michael)

Family Craft

1st Place: Little Mischiefs (James Horner, Julianne Horner, Eva Horner, Emily Horner) 

2nd Place: The Ark (Jennifer Ceredona, Zoey Ceredona)

3rd Place: Pirates Booty (Sondra Flannery, Bella Flannery, Olivia Flannery, Julie Flannery, Gemma Flannery)

 

Group Challenge

1st Place: Floaty McSelectFace! (Mendon Select Board represented by Brendan Chenelle)

2nd Place: Spirit of Brotherhood (Mendon Brothers of the Brush represented by Chad LaBastie and Shawn Clifton)

3rd Place: Mendon Fire Department "44 Boat" (Mendon Fire Department represented by Brian Turcotte)

 

2023 Special Awards

Pride of Mendon Award (Most Creative Design): S.S. Mino (Keira Stewart, Jeremy Stewart)

Captain's Choice Award (Most Attractive): Spirit of Brotherhood (Chad LaBastie, Shawn Clifton)

Esprit de Corps Award (Most Spirited & Organized Team): Pirates Booty (Sondra Flannery, Bella Flannery, Olivia Flannery, Julie Flannery, Gemma Flannery)

Perseverance Award (Honors the Competitors Who Never Gave Up): Ivan the Great (Isabella Panopio, Ivan Hedquist)

Titanic Award (Most Spectacular Sinking): The Catastrophe (Cecilia Vandervalk, Andrew Moran)

Surprise Award (We're Surprised It Floats. . .): The Tiger Cheetah Fast Boat (Aidyn Byrne, Guin Rebello)

Favorite Book Award (Best Reflects a Favorite Book): Little Mischiefs (James Horner, Julianne Horner, Eva Horner, Emily Horner)

Library Award (Best Reflects a Love of Reading): The Ark (Jennifer Ceredona, Zoey Ceredona)