Milk Carton Boat Regatta

We’re making waves for 100 years!

In celebration of the 100th National Cherry Festival, the beloved Milk Carton Boat Regatta is back and ready to hit the water once again!

Join us on Wednesday, July 8 at 11:00 AM at the Clinch Park Marina Boat Launch as teams launch their handcrafted boats — built entirely from recycled milk cartons — into West Grand Traverse Bay. Creativity, engineering, teamwork, and just a little bit of luck will determine who sails to victory… and who makes a splash!

This crowd-favorite event is equal parts innovation and entertainment. Spectators can line the shoreline and cheer on participants as they paddle their way through the course in vessels made of nothing but cartons, tape, and determination.

Whether you’re competing or watching from the dock, the Milk Carton Boat Regatta is a classic Festival tradition that perfectly captures the fun, ingenuity, and community spirit that have defined the last 100 years.

Ready to float your way into Festival history? Start saving those cartons and we’ll see you on the water!