The 43rd Annual Seafair Milk Carton Derby will take place on Saturday, July 13! Nearly 100 colorful milk carton boats of all shapes and design will compete on the waters of Green Lake for fantastic prizes and bragging rights. The Derby is highlighted by a full day of "competition" as children, adults, families and businesses build milk carton watercraft for show and racing.
2013 Schedule of Races
8:30 a.m. – Registration and Inspection Opens9:30 a.m. -- National Anthem performed by Upward Bound in the Fifth Dimension
9:30 a.m. - Urban Surf Seafair SUP - Individual Race
10:00 a.m. – Open Category
10:45 a.m. – Racing Category
11:15 a.m. – Group/Commercial Category
11:30 a.m. - Urban Surf Seafair SUP - Relay Race
12:00 p.m. – Kid’s Area Programming
12:30 p.m. – Parade of Boats for Showboat Award Judging (non-racing)
12:45 p.m. – Seafair Team Challenge Boat Build Begins
1:00 p.m. – Military Category
1:30 p.m. – Seafair Team Challenge Race
1:45 p.m. – Racing and Open Category FINALS
3:00 p.m. – Awards Ceremony
Registration
Boat Categories
The racing, military and open categories are complimentary, there is no charge to enter.
Racing - Free to Enter
Any craft whose design and intent is primarily speed like skulls, kayaks, surfboards and racing type catamarans will be placed in this category. This race has two sub-categories:
Youth ages 8-13
Adult ages 14 and up
Open - Free to Enter
Any style entry other than racing, military or commercial. This category is for entries where design took precedence over speed in the construction. It is still however a race to the finish. This race has three sub categories:
Youth ages 8-13
Adult ages 14 and up
Family - kids up to age 13 with at least one adult
Military - Free to Enter
A special category for our military community, at least one crew member of the milk carton craft must be active duty military.
-A trophy for one year display will be awarded to the military race winner.
-A prize will be awarded to the military race entry judged to have the best design.
Groups & Commercial - $250 Entry Fee
This category is for groups & commercial entries. A $250 entry gives your group or company the opportunity to race with a company name, logo or slogan on your vessel. Take the challenge and race to glory on the formidable waters of Seattle’s Green Lake. A minimum of 100 half-gallon cartons or their equivalent is required. This category is not eligible for Showboat or other major prize drawings. Entries must meet the conditions of the Open Category. Each group/commercial participant will receive an official Milk Carton Derby T-shirt.
-Overall winner will be awarded 8 one-day passes to Seafair Weekend (Albert Lee Cup/Boeing Air Show) as well as 10% of collected entry monies donated to the non-profit of their choice.
-Best design in this category wins 4 one-day passes to Seafair Weekend (Albert Lee Cup/ Boeing Air Show).
NOTE: The racing category is for entries designed for speed. The open category is for entries where design and creative use of milk cartons is the primary purpose but this is still a race. The showboat award is not open to sponsored groups/commercial or military entrants.
*The inspector will place entries in the racing category if there is a doubt as to the intent of the craft. Open category entries, which seriously outdistance the field, may be reclassified or disqualified by the judges. All rulings are final.
Introducing Your Master of Ceremonies
Mark Christopher was born and raised on Queen Anne Hill in Seattle. Mark has over 30 years of broadcasting in this city alone. He is currently a Morning Host on WARM 106.9 and Host of KCTS9 COOKS (PBS). Mark's first personal connection with Seafair was while he was employed at The Edgewater in early 70's, many race boat teams called it home in August each year. During the 80s he was recruited by The Seafair Pirates (Cabin Boy Christopher), Seafair Boat Club as Tower Announcer in The Pits, and to emcee various community parades. During the summer months he is often seen as tour guide Capt Noah Lott (Know- A- Lot) of Ride The Ducks Of Seattle. His smile and deep Rolodex of friends puts him right in there as a Mr. Seattle candidate.
Meet Your Captain of the Derby
Introducing the official event ambassador at the Seafair Milk Carton Derby... Chip Hanauer! Also known as "The Boat Guy", Chip is a hydroplane racing legend and one of the most successful unlimited hydroplane racers in history. He won a record 11 American Power Boat Association (APBA) Gold Cups and drove one of the most famous bouts in the APBA history, the Miss Budweiser. In 1995, Chip became the youngest inductee into the U.S. Motorports Hall of Fame. Chip's boyhood aspirations included Grand Prix auto racing. However, the boating environment of the Pacific Northwest drew Chip to start racing powerboats at the age of nine. He won his first National Championship in the 145 class when he was 18. He went on to win six more limited National Championships in various classes. Chip now stars in "The Boat Guy", a light-hearted web series highlighting Chip's unique perspective on boats, boating, and enjoying life in the Pacific Northwest.
Boat Building Tips, Rules & Regulations
Need help with building your vessel?
CLICK HERE for our guide complete with tips and sample boats.
for official rules and regulations.
Activities on Water...and on Land!
There will be plenty of activities on shore as well - including interactive displays and exhibits, autographs and picture opportunities (Seafair Clowns, Seafair Princesses, The SeaGals - and more!) and plenty of food booths!
Urban Surf Seafair SUP
Seafair and Urban Surf are bringing you the first ever stand up paddleboarding competition on Green Lake! The event will take place during the derby day! CLICK HERE to learn more or to register.
Kids Entertainment Area
We can't forget about the kids! There is a whole play space for you, check it out and you'll find fabulous and fun activities to enjoy! In the kid's entertainment area there will be two inflatables, the Seafair Clowns, the Seafair Princesses, face painting, and a booth by Clowns Unlimited! You can find the Kid's Entertainment Area at the southwest end of the event site.
Awards Ceremony
Awards will be given for each of the race categories. Additionally, all participants will receive a raffle ticket. Raffle winners will be announced at the awards ceremony. Other awards include the Showboat Award (chosen by the Milk Carton Derby Race Committee).
Milk Carton Pick-Up
Interested in building a boat for the Seafair Milk Carton Derby? Do you need additional milk cartons for your raft? Smith Brothers Farms has generously donated thousands of milk cartons for your use. Please contact taylor@seafair.com or call (206) 728-0123 ext. 122 to schedule a time to pick up your 250-carton allotment at the Seafair Office (2200 6th Ave. Suite 400). Pick-up slots are available Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. while supplies last. Please note, you must be signed up for the Seafair Milk Carton Derby before you may pick up milk cartons. Register for the Seafair Milk Carton Derby HERE! The Seafair Boat Club includes more than 2,000 volunteers that support the water-oriented activities of Seafair. The club oversees water activities and safety at the Seafair Milk Carton Derby, Seafair Weekend Featuring the Albert Lee Cup & Boeing Air Show and the Seafair & 76 Special Holiday Cruise. CLICK HERE to learn more about the Seafair Boat Club.
Seafair Milk Carton Derby Sponsors
Smith Brothers Farms, Albert Lee Appliance, The Boeing Company, Busby Junk Removal, KIRO 7 Eyewitness News, PODS, Safeway, SeattlePI.com, TalkingRain Beverage Company, Microsoft, Tulalip Resort Casino, It Tastes RAAW Juices, Warm 106.9 FM Today's Soft Favorites, Movin 92.5 All The Hits!, The New Click 98.9 - Modern Music, AM 880 KIXI Music - As Cool Now as it was Then, Alternative Talk 1150 AM KKNW, Urban Surf, The Boat Guy.