Make way for Halloween, there’s a new tradition in Salem.

The Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta started in 2023, and after seeing the videos from this year, it is a tradition that I hope extends to the South Shore.

The introduction of the cardboard boat regatta

Salem Maritime National Historic Site was the first National Historic Site in the United States. It consists of nine acres of land and twelve historic buildings along the waterfront and tells over 600 years of New England’s maritime history.

“In 2023, we boldly add our heroic deeds to this cherished history with the Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta,” the National Park Service said.

While maintaining historical integrity is a primary concern for Salem, the Cardboard Regatta was created solely to bring some fun to the waterfront.

To kick off this year’s Salem Maritime Festival, friends and families headed to Derby Beach for some great fun.

READ MORE: Have you seen this Fall River car boat?

The Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta 2024

Several heats were held with cardboard boats, resulting in impressive victories and hilarious defeats.

The participants’ task was to build boats using only cardboard. The cardboard could be of any thickness, but could not be combined with other materials and could not be pre-treated, waxed or coated. Joints and seams could only be sealed with insulating tape or paper tape and could not be wrapped.

The official competition rules called for decorated ships and required at least two people in each ship.

Given limited supplies and complete creative control, you wouldn’t believe what these ships looked like.

Consider this my official petition to bring the Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta to the South Coast. The only decision that needs to be made now is which port to use.