10th Annual Cardboard and Duct Tape Sled Race at Blackwater Falls State Park | Davis, WV
There are many events in West Virginia that get overlooked and one of them is the Cardboard Sled Race at Blackwater Falls State Park. The 10th Annual Cardboard and Duct Tape Sled Race was held on February 26, 2022 from 9-12 am at the sled run in Davis, WV.
This year’s theme was Harry Potter. To participate teams paid $5 per person for a team of up to five individuals. Sleds could be created using cardboard/corrugated cardboard, duct tape (not to exceed 50% of the total design of the sled) and paint could be used for decorative purposes only.
This was our second year participating in the cardboard sled race. Last year’s theme was Star Wars and we painted a box, threw some wings on it, and down the hill my husband and son went. It didn’t hold up well. They lost both wings and barely made it across the finish line.
This year we made it a whole family event. My brother-in-law drew up a design, my in-laws created the Hogwarts Express and my husband and son were the drivers. It was definitely a
much better design and held up very well.
We arrived a little early to make sure we had time to get some hot chocolate. There were muggles and wizards all around while Harry Potter theme music played through the speakers. Inside Harry Potter played on the tv for those getting a snack before the race.
There were over 25 teams this year and we were #23. They announced 4 teams at a time to take the magic carpet to the top of the sledding hill. The spectators had to walk to the finish line which was marked in orange, about halfway up the sledding hill.
Each heat consisted of 4 teams and they were all exciting to watch. Some sled designs worked very well while others did not. Another team also had a very extravagant Hogwarts Express, but unfortunately, it flipped at the start of the race. Our sled made it down the hill in 26 seconds, 6 seconds off from the winner, which made it down the hill in 20 seconds.
For our family the Annual Cardboard and Duct Tape Sled Race at Blackwater Falls marks the end of winter, as well as this year, being on my mother-in-law’s birthday. Next year we plan to go back and already have plans for next year theme: The 70’s.
Here is our video from this year's race.