The Salem Maritime Festival will feature musicians, a magician, visiting vessels, historic craft demonstrators, and hands-on activities. The day will kick off the Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta.

Teams of two will test their engineering, ingenuity, and artistry by building homemade boats constructed on cardboard and duct tape. Launching from Derby Beach in a series of heats, teams will race to paddle their cardboard boats in the Salem Sound.

Schedule of Events

• 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM: Historic buildings open
• 1:00 AM - 1:00 PM: The Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta (races and award ceremony)
• 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM: Friendship of Salem open Lawn games and food trucks

Taking place during the Maritime Festival, local teams will race their homemade cardboard boats in Salem Harbor. Spectators are encouraged to line Derby Wharf and cheer on the racers.

If you would like to learn more about competing in the Cardboard Boat Regatta, please follow this link (https://www.nps.gov/sama/planyourvisit/cardboard-boatregatta.htm) to review the rules and submit an application.