The Waterfront Festival is a delightfully entertaining experience, awaiting you at the Seneca Harbor Park in downtown Watkins Glen!
Dive into the magic of lakeside living at the Waterfront Festival and Cardboard Boat Regatta. Celebrate the beauty of our lakeside community at this exciting event, showcasing our close connection to Seneca Lake.
Held at scenic Seneca Harbor Park, this signature summer event features whimsical cardboard boats racing across the lake, live music, delicious food, and activities for all ages. It’s one of the most joyful days of the year and a true display of creativity, fun, and Finger Lakes flair.
The Waterfront Festival Celebrates its 33rd Year
Now entering it’s 33rd year in 2026, the Watkins Glen Waterfront Festival is anchored by the popular Cardboard Boat Regatta held on Saturday of Father’s Day weekend. Join us at the Seneca Harbor Park on Saturday, June 20th from 11am-7pm!
Food, Craft and non-profit vendors will be open from 11am along the Harbor Parking lots and grass. We will also have FREE Children’s Activities in the Cardboard Boat Concourse area, so be sure to check out the boats and the fun!
As always, a local favorite band will be playing in the large parking lot tent near Lucky Hare Bar & Grill, following the award announcements.
Nearly Famous Cardboard Boat Regatta
Stroll through the Concourse de Cardboard, check out the cardboard boats and meet the crews. Then laugh and applaud the bold and adventurous Captains and Crews of the Cardboard Boat Regatta as they bravely sail their cardboard crafts from launch to finish line!
The Carboard Boat Regatta will begin promptly at 2pm. You will not want to miss this.
In addition to the races, a full lineup of food, beverage, and craft vendors will be onsite, as well as live music. Stay until the end to enjoy the music!
F.A.Q.
Where Can I Park for the Waterfront Festival?
–There is parking available on side streets! The Marina parking lot is reserved for boats and vendors.
Is there handicapped parking available?
-There is limited handicapped parking available at the intersection of 1st Street and Decatur, clearly marked with stakes and signs.
What time should I arrive?
–The Festival is from 11am-7pm, but the Cardboard Boat Regatta kicks off at 2pm. Many people bring chairs and arrive early in order to get a good vantage point of the festivities.
2026: GET INVOLVED IN THIS SUMMER’S MOST FUN FESTIVAL!
Boaters Registration Packet, complete with rules and information
complete vendor packet and information
This festival would not be possible without our community sponsors.
We appreciate everything you do to make this a success!
Our 2025 Sponsors are:
Start Line Sponsor: Walmart.Org
Start Line Sponsor: Cayuga Health
Start Line Sponsor: Cargill, Inc
Finish Line Sponsor: O’Hara Machinery
Finish Line Sponsor: True Love Sailing
Finish Line Sponsor: Finger Lakes Dumpster Company
T-Shirt Sponsor: Zamartz Consulting
Band Stand Sponsor: Maguire Cars
Captain Sponsor: Larson Design Group
Captain Sponsor: Nickel’s Pit BBQ
Captain Sponsor: Lucky Hare Brewing Bar & Grill
Captain Sponsor: Frog Hollow Marina and Oar House Waterfront Pub
Prize Category Sponsor, “Best Sinking”: Chemung Canal Trust Company
Prize Category Sponsor, “People’s Choice”: High Street Insurance
Prize Category Sponsor, “Fastest Kids Boat”: ServU Credit Union
Prize Sponsor, “Best Theme”: NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities
Prize Category Sponsor, Furthest Travel Award: Watkins Glen International
In-Kind Sponsor: Finger Lakes Dumpster Company
We are proud and appreciate our partnership with Big Fox Media in Corning, NY on advertising and televising of our regatta. Thank you for all that you do!
This event also receives in-kind support from our partner, Hi-Lites with all of our print and promotional materials. We truly appreciate their dedication to local endeavors.
This festival is made possible due to the tourism assistance program offered through Schuyler County and the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce.
This event is funded in part with support from the NYS Canal Corporation and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.
Interested in becoming a sponsor? There are more packages available! Please click the following link to access the Sponsorship Package:
Watkins Glen Promotions Events are in-part supported by the Tourism Assistance Program through Schuyler County and the Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce. We encourage you to visit the Chamber’s Visitor Site, Explore Watkins Glen, by clicking the link below.