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As part of the 2026 City of Water Day Opening Ceremony, teams of event organizers, community leaders, and invited guests will design, build, and race kayaks made entirely of cardboard and tape on the Hudson River. It’s equal parts creativity, teamwork, friendly competition, and celebration of the waterways that connect us all. Teams embrace their expertise and personality as they dream up a cardboard creation inspired by the work they do every day. Whether the design is practical, imaginative, ambitious, or delightfully overengineered, the goal is simple: have fun and help kick off a season dedicated to our shared waters.
City of Water Day is a regionwide day of free, family-friendly events at or near the water. Organized by Waterfront Alliance and New York–New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP), dozens of events across all five NYC boroughs, New Jersey, and Westchester county will take place on Saturday, July 25. Find your event today!
City of Water Day Opening Ceremony: Cardboard Kayak Race
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Hudson River Park’s Pier 84 (44th Street at the Hudson River, Manhattan)
- Build Period: 3:45–5:45 p.m.
- Races: 5:45–7:15 p.m.
- Awards and Celebration: Following the races
All are welcome to come and enjoy the spectacle and silliness free of charge.
To field a team, please contact dezer@waterfrontalliance.org at earliest opportunity. Sponsorship opportunities available!
We hope you’ll join us to make a splash and help launch City of Water Day in an unforgettable fashion.