Hundreds of spectators from Illinois and states as far as Texas, traveled to Havana to watch a hot new event.
The National Boat Racing Association worked with Havana city officials for the first year of the Havana Boat Races.
News 25's Michelle Mantel takes us along Havana's riverfront with more details.
67 year old Dave Nichols came all the way from Texas to glide along part of the Illinois River.Nichols says he stopped boat racing 34 years ago. To kick off his return, he came all the way to Havana.
Nichols said, "There are no races in Texas anymore, Texas use to be the mecca of boat races now there isn't any."
Local racers like Greg McCarthy also waited to get onboard.
McCarthy is from Havana and says boat racing played a role in his family as he was growing up.
McCarthy said, "My dad he's been around for quite a long time. He kind of got us into the competition part, coming to races."
No matter where the racers are from they're bringing in spectators are coming in from different parts of the country and officials says the race helps the economy in both Havana and the rest of Central Illinois.
"I think our restaurants probably have been really good this weekend. In that response, I think it's been a really big success", said Terry Svob, the Economic Development Coorinator for Havana.
Mark Friedrich, Chairman of the boat race said, "This one filled up our hotels we had. We actually had a list all the way to Peoria. I know there are some people staying in Bloomington."
Hundreds of people along Havana's riverfront to watch boats zoom by as fast as 100 mile per hour, all to watch Havana's Boat Show for the first time.
Havana Boat Race officials say they hope to continue the race in following years as an annual event.
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