Thousands Turn Out for 3rd Annual Riverhead Cardboard Boat Race

Downtown Riverhead came alive on Sunday as thousands poured to the Peconic waterfront for some friendly and family-oriented competition.

Crowds of families and spectators packed the waterfront for the , which is rapidly earning a reputation as one of the town's most highly anticipated event of the year.

"It just keeps getting better every year," said Riverhead Town Councilman George Gabrielsen, who was instrumental in organizing the event.

The crowd was far greater this year, both Gabrielsen and Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter said. "Thousands of people turned out," Walter said.

Walter and Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst competed in the , which Throne-Holst won handily.

Crowds packed the riverfront and bleachers to cheer on boats in a variety of categories. Participants exhibited a wealth of creativity and came in costumes including a character from "Castaway," leprechauns and Elvis -- and entered boats designed to represent hundreds of of ideas, including at least three versions of the Titanic, a Yankees vessel, a shower, complete with a boater in a shower cap, and Scooby Doo's bus.

Riley Behrens and his mom Sue Behrens of Wading River entered a boat into the race together; this is her second year. "I'm addicted," she said. "It's fun."

The boats were made of cardboard and duct tape; along with the winning vessels, a few less fortunate boats didn't fare as well, and some spills were taken. Riverhead Town police and volunteers were onhand in case anyone needed rescue -- but no one needed to be fished out of the drink.

Be sure to check back to Riverhead Patch for a full list of the winners.

What was your favorite cardboard boat? Tell us in the comments section.