Riverhead Cardboard Boat Race
Riverhead Cardboard Boat Race
🚣 Saturday, August 1, 2026
📍 Peconic Riverfront | Downtown Riverhead, NY
The Riverhead Cardboard Boat Race is one of Downtown Riverhead’s most anticipated annual events, bringing together thousands of spectators to cheer on teams racing homemade cardboard boats across the Peconic River.
This exciting waterfront festival combines creativity, competition, engineering, and family fun into a one-of-a-kind community experience that attracts visitors from across Long Island.
New for 2026, the event is expanding into an even bigger destination with the addition of a Family Fun Zone and Waterfront Vendor Marketplace located adjacent to the boat launch in the Peconic Riverfront parking area.
Guests won’t simply watch the races. They’ll spend the day shopping local, enjoying interactive attractions, games, activities, food vendors, live entertainment, community organizations, and family-friendly experiences while taking in everything Downtown Riverhead has to offer.
Whether you’re cheering on your favorite cardboard boat, exploring the vendor marketplace, enjoying delicious food, or making memories with the family, there’s something for everyone at this exciting summer tradition.
Event Features
🚣 Cardboard Boat Races
🛍 Artisan Vendor Marketplace
🥨 Snack Vendors
🎶 Live Entertainment
🎈 Family Fun Zone
🎯 Interactive Activities & Games
🤝 Community Organizations
🌊 Beautiful Peconic Riverfront Setting
Admission is free for spectators, making this the perfect summer outing for families, friends, and visitors of all ages.
Vendor Opportunities
Interested in becoming a vendor?
Applications are currently being accepted for artisan vendors, specialty retail vendors, food vendors, snack vendors, promotional vendors, and community organizations.
Vendor spaces are limited and accepted on a first-approved basis. Certain categories may close as applications are received to ensure a diverse shopping experience.
👉 Vendor applications are available now. Apply early to secure your space.
Lenny Bruno Farms Sweet SummerFest
Get ready for a day packed with fun, flavor, and family-friendly activities! Admission is just $10 per person and includes live music, access to a variety of vendors, entry into the watermelon eating contest, a foam bubble party, playgrounds, jumbo garden games, farm animal meet-and-greets, and unique photo opportunities. Children 2 and under enter for free!
Beyond the festival area, explore delicious eats from food trucks, browse artisan vendors, enjoy face painting and fairy hair tinsel, and interactive activities for kids and teens. Don’t miss out on fresh cut sunflowers, farm-fresh sweet corn, melon, and seasonal produce.
For a deeper dive into farm life, hop on a scenic hayride tour with farm owner Anthony Bruno to learn how your favorite vegetables are grown ($5 additional fee).
Make the most of your visit by stopping at the farm store for fresh fruits, vegetables, homemade pies, ice cream, and other Lenny Bruno grown and baked treats. Mark your calendar and celebrate summer in the sweetest way!