DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — The roar of powerful engines and the spray of water across Lake Decatur will once again fill Nelson Park this weekend as Hardy's Race for the Lake returns for its third consecutive year, bringing some of the fastest boats in the country to central Illinois.

This year's event carries even greater significance, as Decatur has been selected to host the 2026 American Power Boat Association (APBA) Eastern Inboard Nationals, one of the country's premier boat racing events. The two-day competition is expected to attract racers from across North America.

"We're welcoming the American Powerboat Association back for the third year of racing," said Clay Gerhard, executive director of the Decatur Park District's partner organization, the Decatur Partnership. "This year, it looks like we're going to have about 60 boats."

For Sean Bowsher, race chairman and a Decatur native who also competes on the water, the event has become a labor of love.

"It's a whirlwind," he said on Friday as boats were loading into the water. "It's what we do. It's a great event for the community. I can't express that enough. It's so awesome."

The Nationals designation means fans will see some of the fastest and most accomplished racers in the sport. According to Bowsher, competitors are traveling from California, Arizona, Florida, the East Coast, the West Coast and Canada to compete on Lake Decatur.

The event will feature 10 racing classes, including seven hydroplane divisions, three flat-bottom classes, and a Jersey Speed Skiff class. Fans can expect more than 20 heats of racing throughout the weekend.

"We've got boats for the beginner classes that do about 75 miles an hour, and we've got a couple of boats here that do 180 miles an hour," Bowsher said.

While spectators see the speed and excitement, racers experience something entirely different.

"You forget to breathe," said Bowsher, who plans to race this weekend. "The adrenaline dump is constant through those 10 minutes. You sweat. The acceleration ... It's fun because you're racing three things. You're racing the water, you're racing yourself, and you're racing your competitors."

One of the marquee attractions this year will be a vintage unlimited hydroplane, a massive 37-foot boat powered by a V-12 Allison engine originally designed for a P-51 Mustang aircraft.

"It's loud," Bowsher said. "We're going to run it around 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, and it's going to wake up Decatur."

Beyond the racing action, organizers said the event has grown into a community festival. The Decatur Park District notes that food vendors, arts and crafts booths, and family-friendly activities will be available throughout the weekend.

Gerhard said visitors can expect 17 food vendors, 50 arts and crafts vendors, and a children's activity area hosted by Temple Baptist Church.

"We've got lots of things for folks to do," Gerhard said. "Just come down, mingle through the park, watch the races, watch the cranes as they operate. It's a really cool experience to see the choreography that goes into a boat race."

The event also represents a major community effort. Gerhard said dozens of organizations and hundreds of people help make the races possible each year.

"It takes a whole crew," he said. "The fire department, the ambulance service, the police department, park police, so many people to pull off this event."

That community support is one of the reasons organizers hope the races remain a fixture on Lake Decatur for years to come.

"We want to continue the boat races as long as we can, as long as we have the community support," Gerhard said. "Folks have been really excited to have the boat races back."

For Bowsher, bringing national-caliber racing back to his hometown remains the most rewarding part of the weekend.

"Every boat racer here is one of my friends. We have a blast. We travel the nation together," he said. "I'm just glad I could bring one back to my hometown here in Decatur, Illinois."

Hardy's Race for the Lake runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Nelson Park. Parking will be available on-site. It will cost $10 to park on Lake Shore Drive, and $25 for preferred parking.

There will be a tram shuttle transporting people to Nelson Park. No overnight parking is allowed. 

Organizers encourage visitors to arrive early to take advantage of the full day of racing and festival activities. Click here to learn more.

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