The Cardboard Regatta had been a staple event in Glen Ellyn for decades, in which people built their own watercraft out of only cardboard and tape to race around a series of buoys in Lake Ellyn.
But participation started lagging in recent years, and the pandemic added to the decline. So this year, the Glen Ellyn Park District decided to take some time off from the race.
“Since the event is dependent on boat registration, it has been challenging to have enough boats to make the event effective, particularly for all the volunteers, partners, and vendors,” said Courtney O’Kray, manager of marketing and communications at the Glen Ellyn Park District.
“The district is considering staging the regatta every 3-5 years moving forward to see if that would attract more participants and make it more exciting.”
Without the regatta this year, there was room on the schedule over the 4th of July weekend, and the park district is planning a new event at Lake Ellyn that’s more focused on adults.
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The Summer Break at the Lake takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. July 1, featuring a performance by the band Maggie Speaks, food trucks, and adult beverages in a 21-and-over event.
“While the park district has several events featuring live music, Summer Break at the Lake is a music-focused event that will offer a new and different experience for the community,” O’Kray said. “At most park district events, the musical entertainment is geared toward kids and families. For this event, we went with Maggie Speaks because they are a dynamic, energetic, and well-known area band that we felt everyone could enjoy.
“Summer Break at the Lake is also the first time we’ve partnered with local businesses and organizations to offer alcoholic beverages and food truck fare for purchase during a concert,” she said.
Those beverages will be sold by local vendors The Beer Cellar, Two Hound Red and the Common Good Cocktail House. A number of food trucks will be on hand to offer patrons a variety of food choices.
The event is designed to kick off a weekend of events to celebrate Independence Day in Glen Ellyn, including the annual 4th of July parade and fireworks that take place downtown and in Lake Ellyn Park. The park district also hosts the annual Freedom Four 4-Mile Run/Walk at Lake Ellyn Park, starting at 7:30 a.m. and benefiting the Friends of Glen Ellyn Parks’ Scholarship Fund.
Tickets are $10 for the Summer Break at the Lake, and they’re available through the park district website. But those interested should also be able to purchase tickets at the event.
“Lake Ellyn Park is rather large, so there is some flexibility for capacity for the event,” O’Kray said.
Without the Cardboard Regatta on the schedule every year, O’Kray believes the park district will be able to hold more events like the Summer Break at the Lake around the 4th of July holiday.
“We hope that this, and other events like it, can be staged at Lake Ellyn Park in the years to come for the holiday weekend,” she said. “Instead of having a repeating event from year-to-year, it would be great to try new things and bring different events to the park, possibly rotating them every few years.”
This isn’t the first adults-only event that the park district has held at Lake Ellyn: Its Thirsty Thursdays have been held at the boathouse in the park since 2019, and it will hold two more this season, on July 14 and Aug. 25.
“They began as part of our 100-year anniversary celebration,” O’Kray said. “Thirsty Thursdays are a more intimate experience, typically featuring one musician and including light snacks and a beverage. They are limited to about 200-225 participants.”
Summer Break at the Lake is expected to draw closer to 800 people and take over much more of the park.
Summer Break at the Lake
When: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. July 1
Where: Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn
Tickets: $10
Information: 630-858-2462; gepark.org
Jeff Banowetz is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.