Staff Report / June 16, 2026
WATKINS GLEN – One of Schuyler County’s most popular summer traditions returns this weekend as the Watkins Glen Waterfront Festival and Cardboard Boat Regatta takes place Saturday at Seneca Harbor Park. The annual event brings together residents and visitors for a day of family-friendly activities, entertainment, food, and one of the region’s most unique competitions as homemade cardboard boats race across Seneca Lake.
The festival is organized by the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce and is designed to celebrate the community’s waterfront while showcasing local businesses, organizations, and attractions. Throughout the day, attendees can enjoy live entertainment, children’s activities, vendors, food offerings, and demonstrations along the Seneca Lake shoreline. Admission to the event is free.
Festival highlights include:
- The annual Cardboard Boat Regatta on Seneca Lake
- Live music and entertainment
- Food vendors and local exhibitors
- Family-friendly activities and games
- Community organization displays
- Waterfront attractions at Seneca Harbor Park
- Opportunities to watch teams compete in homemade cardboard vessels
The Cardboard Boat Regatta remains the signature attraction of the festival, challenging participants to design, build, and race boats constructed primarily from cardboard and approved materials. Organizers say the event continues to draw competitors and spectators from across the Finger Lakes region, combining creativity, engineering, and friendly competition. The festival has become a summertime staple in Watkins Glen, helping to promote tourism and community engagement while highlighting the village’s scenic waterfront setting on Seneca Lake.
