Cardboard Boat Regatta

At Lake Anne Plaza, the annual Cardboard Boat Regatta transforms the waterfront into a spectacle of homemade engineering and spirited rivalry. Teams—ranging from local families to ambitious businesses—arrive with boats crafted entirely from cardboard, each one painted, patched, and sometimes precariously balanced. The real draw is watching these creations attempt to stay afloat as their crews paddle furiously across the lake, cheered on by a crowd that swells into the thousands. The event’s energy is infectious, with laughter echoing over the water as boats sink, capsize, or, occasionally, glide triumphantly to the finish. It’s a rare chance to see the community’s creativity and competitive streak on full display, all set against the backdrop of Reston’s iconic plaza. The regatta’s blend of ingenuity, spectacle, and neighborly camaraderie makes it a highlight of the summer calendar.