Archive: float your boat
Float Your Boat was mid-Missouri’s original cardboard regatta, celebrating community and helping neighbors from 2012 until 2026. Proceeds from Float Your Boat helped The Food Bank feed neighbors in our 32-county service area.
Who could participate?
Anyone could participate in Float Your Boat if they were 8 years old or older:
- The short course was designed for kids 8-14 years old.
- The long course was open to anyone over the age of 14.
It all started as a fundraiser in 2012
- The University of Missouri's College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources launched Float Your Boat as a fundraiser for The Food Bank in 2012.
- In 2017, The Food Bank started officially hosting Float Your Boat with the support of media partners, sponsors, and volunteer members.
- Until the last Float Your Boat event in 2026, it was The Food Bank's premiere spring event!
Past Award Winners
People's Choice Award (Short Course)
SHAMROCK SHIP 2.0
PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD (LONG COURSE)
KNIGHT SHIFT
Short course (timed)
- 1st - McFloat
- 2nd - Nothing But Cardboard
- 3rd - Ninja Cats
Long course (timed)
- 1st - Knot at the Office
- 2nd - Udderly Fast
- 3rd - Boatnana
Allure of the Sea (short course)
Peacock paddlers
Allure of the Sea (LONG course)
Soup for the Soul
Captain's Award (short course)
Paddle Pandas
captain's award (long course)
Bananaaa!!!
Titanic award (Short course)
SS Spinach
Titanic award (Long course)
The Mystery Machine
People's Choice Award (Short Course)
Game Day
PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD (LONG COURSE)
Titanic
Short course (timed)
- 1st - West Middle School
- 2nd - Noah's Ark
- 3rd - Meyers
Long course (timed)
- 1st - Knot at the Office
- 2nd - Titanic
- 3rd - Udderly Fast
Allure of the Sea (short course)
Shamrock Ship
Allure of the Sea (LONG course)
Austin Martin
Captain's Award (short course)
Firecracker
captain's award (long course)
Final Impact
Titanic award (Short course)
Pie Rat
People's Choice award
The Loch Ness Monser from Mill Creek Elementary
The Loch Ness Monster was built by the Mill Creek Lewis Crew! These fourth graders raised over $1,000 to help bring food to neighbors. 2022 was the 4th year Mrs. Lewis’ class raced in Float Your Boat.
Short course (timed)
- 1st - The Phoenix - Mill Creek Elementary
- 2nd - Dangerous Dabicorns - Mill Creek Elementary
- 3rd - Boat Name Here
long course (timed)
- 1st - GCMG - Guardians Charitable Motorcycle Group
- 2nd - The Udderly Fast - Aurora Organic Dairy
- 3rd - Knot at the Office - American Outdoor Brands
Allure of the Sea Award
The Phoenix - Mill Creek Elementary
Loch Ness Award
Team Cookies - Girl Scout Troop 71965
Captain’s Award
GCMG - Guardians Charitable Motorcycle Group
Titanic Award
Blaze the Dragon - Mill Creek Elementary
Can’t Believe It’s Cardboard Award
Knot at the Office - American Outdoor Brands
People's Choice award
Environmental Dynamics International
Short course (timed)
- The Gum Ballers - 1:31
- Mill Creek Chess Club - 1:43
- Banana Boat - 2:18
long course (timed)
- Boata BoXXX - 1:14
- EDI Battleship - 1:23
- Awwww Shucks! - 2:05
Allure of the Sea Award
- Long Course - EDI Battleship
- Short Course - Skittles
Loch Ness Award
- Long Course - The G.O.A.T. Boat
- Short Course - Lotawatta
Captain’s Award
- Long Course - The Greatest Home!
- Short Course - S.S. Pez
Titanic Award
- Long Course - Mmmmmmmmm-donuts
- Short Course - Battle Bus
Can’t Believe It’s Cardboard Award
- Long Course - Dairy Aire
- Short Course - The Gum Ballers