By WENDY STIVER

wstiver@lockhaven.com

LOCKPORT — Are you all in yet?

It’s time to get going, to build and decorate your own fanciful contraption — or plan to set sail in a plain brown boat — in the 10th annual Lynne Ramm Cardboard Boat Race.

Register this week for the racing and receive a substantial discount. Or, register as late as the morning of the racing.

As always, the popular boat race will be a big highlight of Riverfest, to be held Thursday through Saturday, July 12 to 14, at Lockport Boat Launch Park.

The cardboard boats, some with special themes and others just hoping to stay afloat, will line up and be on display Saturday, July 14.

Judging takes place at noon — and then the boat racing begins, at 1 p.m.

“Everybody enjoys coming to see it. It’s a fun family event,” said Kyle A. Coleman, chair of the Woodward Township supervisors and the township recreation committee.

“The bridge is usually lined full on the township side, with people down along the river bank, many of them family and friends cheering the boats on,” he said.

Most boats are propelled by teams of folks, young and old. Some dress in costume to go with their boat’s theme.

Plenty of safety spotters are floating along the route, from just below Veterans Bridge to the boat launch, in case anyone gets sunk and dunked.

And that’s a big possibility — these boats are literally made out of cardboard. The only other materials allowed are duck tape, nontoxic glue, and paint. No varnishes, lacquers, epoxies or foam are permitted. It’s sink or float, with your team’s hopes of winning riding on cardboard and duck tape.

No motors are allowed either — each boat must be paddled by people power only.

Racers must wear an appropriate-sized life preserver, river shoes and a whistle.

The races will be run in eight categories:

r Children ages 8-12, with one to two people per boat.

r Children ages 8-12, with three or more people per boat.

r Youth ages 13-17, with one to two people per boat.

r Youth ages 13-17, with three or more people per boat.

r Young adults ages 18-50, with one to two people per boat.

r Young adults ages 18-50, with three or more people per boat.

r Adults, ages 51 and older.

r Families, groups and clubs.

A boat may race in any or all categories, as long as the team members meet the numbers and age qualifications for each race — and as long as the boat doesn’t become so waterlogged it turns into cardboard mush!

“I know kids and other groups put a lot of time into making these boats,” Coleman said. “Some racers make it the whole way and other boats collapse when they hit the water, but everybody has a blast!”

The race winners will receive prizes. And the annual Titanic Award will be given to the best sinker during the races.

The on-shore judging at noon, before any of the boats hit the river, will decide the winners of the Best Boat Design Award and the Best Boat and Costume Theme Award.

Some old favorites have signed up, and some new teams are building boats this year too, Coleman said.

Racers can get a big discount if they register before July 1, so don’t delay. Registrations before that date are only $10 per race. After July 1, the registration fee is $15 per race. Registrations will be taken as late as the morning of the event.

More information and registration forms are available at the township building, 86 Riverside Terrace, phone 570-748-6871.

Online information is available on Facebook. Search for Lynne Ramm Memorial Cardboard Boat Races.

Vendors interested in participating in Riverfest are also encouraged to call the township building.

The Duck Derby is planned for 5 p.m. the same day, Saturday, July 14, and tickets are already on sale, at The Second Cup on Woodward Avenue and at the township building.

Music that day will be provided by Rize from 3 to 5 p.m. and Snug at 7 p.m., and the fireworks display at 10 p.m. will conclude Riverfest for another year.

All proceeds from the boat races and Duck Derby benefit township recreation.