Pirates To Board Alligator's Creek in O'Fallon

If you've got an old box, some duct tape and nautical skills, make plans to take part in the cardboard boat race scheduled for Saturday at the  in O'Fallon.

The event, now in its second year, will take place in conjunction with Shipwrecked Pirates Day, which has been an annual event at the center for the last four or five years, according to Matt Harris, aquatic specialist for Alligator's Creek.

"We had been looking at programs, and the cardboard boat race had been done in Ballwin a couple of times, so we thought we'd try it," Harris said. "Last year was a huge success. We had two heats and 12 boats."

The rules are simple. "Get a partner and build a boat out of cardboard and duct tape only," Harris said.

The two-person craft must be manually propelled and be able to withstand a more rigorous course than last year's event. The inaugural race consisted of one trip down the length of the pool. This year, there will be an initial heat, semifinals and then the final race.

"Last year, we did one heat because we were not sure if the boats would last," Harris said. "The well-built boats lasted a long time, as long as they kept the water out."

Still, well-made boats did not make up the majority. "Only four made it to the end. Everybody else sunk," Harris said.

While racers are limited to corrugated cardboard and duct tape to build their crafts, there is no limit on design and decoration. "There were a couple of really good designs last year. there were a couple of canoe-like boats," Harris said. "My friend and I made a boat that looked like a shark. I thought it was pretty cool. One of the boats looked like a duck."

Last year's contestants consisted of some children, lifeguards and other Alligator's creek staff and a mother/son team. "We're hoping for more kids this year," Harris said.

Three awards will be given: Best Decorated, Fastest Boat and the Titanic Award. The race is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. and end at 6 p.m.

Advance registration and an $8 entry fee are required to enter the cardboard boat race. The registration deadline is Wednesday, July 6. For more information regarding the race call 636-272-1626 or 636-474-8130.

Throughout the day, Alligator's Creek will be celebrating all things pirate. The aquatic facility will open at 10 a.m., and the first 100 customers will receive pirate tattoos. The water park closes at 8 p.m.

Pirate Day is one of many promotional days at the center. Others including Memorial Day, Labor Day, Father's Day, Fourth of July and Alligator Day.

"We'll have a lot of games and activities," Harris said. "We've tried different games throughout the years--it's kind of evolved."

The swimming and diving games scheduled for this year include Treasure Dig, Walk the Plank, Blanket Balloon Toss and Pegged-Leg Races.

Alligator's Creek is at 403 Civic Park Dr. in Civic Park in O’Fallon. Admission for residents is $3 for children and seniors (65 and older), and $4 for ages 18-64. Nonresident admission is $4 for children and seniors and $5 for adults.

For more information visit http://www.ofallon.mo.us/ParksandRec/aq_ac.htm