The Royal Rosarians Milk Carton Boat Race returned Sunday after two years of pandemic cancellations to Southeast Portland’s Westmoreland Park Casting Pond, where it has taken place since 1973.
The annual tradition, which drew hundreds of people, featured just over a dozen homemade boats, built primarily with milk cartons, jugs and a variety of creative accessories. At least one boat capsized at the starting line but recovered and made it to the finish line. Another had to have a young paddler jump out and push the boat across the shallow pond by kicking with his legs.
The hundreds of attendees who gathered to watch the free event were able to dodge the heat a bit by gathering under wide swaths of shade from nearby evergreen trees. Volunteers handed out water and milk boxes.
Several awards were given out including the prized People’s Choice Milk Can Trophy won by Graysen Lopez, Eli Mallov and August Noethe for their vessel called the D&D Bros.
The race is managed by The Rose Festival Royal Rosarians and sponsored by the Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council.
— Mark Graves
503-860-3060
