Nearly 5,700 milk cartons were thrown into Tempe Town Lake on Saturday to raise money for child abuse prevention.
The first annual Milk Carton Boat Derby called for participants to fashion boats out of milk cartons and race them around a 150-meter track.
Child Abuse Prevention Arizona, a nonprofit organization that emphasizes child abuse prevention through educational and awareness programs, sponsored the derby.
Corporate sponsors paid $2,500 each to enter a total of 30 boats into the derby, said CAPA President Susan Casady. Nearly 1,000 people participated in building the boats, which raced in seven timed heats on Saturday.
The boats were constructed of wooden frames, with milk cartons used as the primary floatation devices. The boats were required to hold at least two people and had to be propelled through the water using manpower.
All proceeds from the derby will be distributed to CAPA's regional councils to support child abuse prevention programs around the state, said Eugene Weeks, program coordinator for Sierra Vista.
Despite the timed races, the event was about having fun while supporting a good cause. In addition to awards for the fastest boats, awards were given to: the boat that looked least like a boat, the most spirited team and the Titanic Award for the boat that sunk fastest.
Cheryl Pelletier, marketing communication manager for JDA Software, said her team benefited from the teamwork that went into building the boat and enjoyed supporting CAPA.
"Because of the fact it was so much fun, we are definitely doing it again next year," Pelletier said.
However, some teams were out to win.
One race between the Men's Active 20-30 Club of Phoenix and the Women's Valley of the Sun Active 20-30 Club became so heated that the men sabotaged the women's boat during the race, hitting the boat and managing to break its paddle wheel.
"They tried to board our boat like pirates. It was horrid," said Cynthia Morrison, a member of the women's club and a pilot of the boat.
Judges for the event were beauty pageant contestants associated with Nicely Done Pageant Consulting and included two ASU students.
Miss Scottsdale America, Holland Bates, a biology senior, said before the event that she was excited to watch the races.
"We're looking forward to see if they're going to sink or not," Bates said.
Miss Chandler Teen USA, Sara Stevens, an undeclared ASU student, said "It's not the kind of thing where they're competing to win - it's about the children."
The event also featured several booths sponsored by child abuse prevention groups, such as Active Parenting Today and the East Valley Family Resource Center, and a 5K Fun Walk.
Reach the reporter at amanda.keim@asu.edu.
