Crazy Cartoon Race

The craziest race in Tuscany

Every year at the start of summer, Lake Gavena in the municipality of Cerreto Guidi (Florence province) becomes the stage for one of the most entertaining and original events in Tuscany: the Crazy Cartoon Race. The concept is as simple as it is mad: build a boat capable of floating and navigating using only cardboard and duct tape, then take on a fun-filled timed race along a course marked out on the lake, clearly visible from the shore.

How it works

The mechanics of the event are its secret. Each crew is provided with a supply of cardboard (a few square meters) and a couple of rolls of packing tape. With these limited materials, and in just over two hours, participants must design and build their boat. You can compete alone or in pairs, and imagination is the real star: some wear extravagant costumes, others decorate their hulls with colorful figures and ribbons, and some give their vessel an original name. The challenge, of course, is to stay afloat as long as possible and cross the finish line before the cardboard gives in to the water.

More than just a race

The Crazy Cartoon Race is much more than a competition: it is a local festival designed for the whole family. A rich program of side activities, almost all free, revolves around the main race: canoe and kayak trials with federal instructors, an art exhibition, a flea market nicknamed "lo Sbaracco", a photo contest with prizes for the best shots, a food court, and music broadcast live by the local web radio station, Quasi Radio.

An eco-friendly community event

Organized by the Canoa Club Turisti per Svago association, the event combines a playful spirit with respect for the environment: the use of cardboard (a recyclable material) and the natural setting of Lake Gavena make it a sustainable appointment deeply rooted in the community of Cerreto Guidi and the Empolese Valdelsa area. It is the perfect opportunity to spend a Sunday outdoors in Tuscany, surrounded by fun, creativity, and community spirit.