Dragon Boat fest to bring more than 1,200 participants
The eighth fastest-growing sport in the world will take off in Montana for the first time at Flathead Lake Lodge on Saturday, Sept. 8. Presented by the Kalispell Convention and Visitors Bureau and sponsored by the Flathead Community Foundation, festival organizers have registered 55 teams and 1,210 participants for Montana’s first dragon boat races.
Local teams from around the Flathead Valley have already begun practicing their dragon boat paddling skills at weekend practice sessions at Flathead Lake’s Somers Bay. Each team includes 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steerer, who will race in the Hong Kong-style, 46-foot dragon boats that are distinguished by a dragon head at the bow and a dragon tail at the stern.
“We are blown away at the interest in this first-time event,” Rob Brisendine, Kalispell Convention and Visitors Bureau group sales manager, said. “We have double the team registrations we originally expected, and we even have teams on a wait list.”
In addition to fervent participation from local teams, the event is also drawing 20 out-of-market teams from Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Washington, the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, and the Montana cities of Bozeman, Helena and Missoula.
“Team participants are going to have a blast race day,” Brisendine said. “But the festival will be fun for people who just want to see what dragon boat racing is all about, and it’s free for spectators to attend.”
Heat races begin on Sept. 8 at 8:30 a.m., but the Montana Dragon Boat Festival will officially kick off at 10 a.m. with an opening ceremony. Spectators are welcome to bring chairs and blankets to view the dragon boat races from the lodge’s shaded island.
In addition to dragon boat racing, the Kalispell CVB has a full day of activities planned for participants and spectators with the Made-in-Montana artisan showcase, food and beverage vendors, kids’ activities and additional entertainment on the grounds of the Flathead Lake Lodge.
At noon on race day, breast cancer survivor dragon boat teams will participate in a ceremony, honoring women who have both fallen to and survived the disease. A portion of each team’s registration for the festival has gone to the Flathead Valley’s breast cancer awareness initiative, Save A Sister.
The title sponsor of the event, the Flathead Community Foundation, has also encouraged many local organizations and businesses to form teams and raise additional funds for worthy causes and nonprofits through pledges.
The dragon boat races culminate at 4:30 p.m. with the championship races and awards ceremony. After the competition, the public is invited to attend the Flathead Lake Dragon Bash at the Red Lion Inn in downtown Kalispell. The evening will include dinner and beverage tastings by local vendors and a concert and dancing, featuring the popular country band, Trevor Panczak and Rough Stock from Lethbridge, Alberta.
Tickets for the bash are $35 and available at Western Outdoor in Kalispell or by calling 756-5818.
To learn more about the Montana Dragon Boat Festival, the sport of dragon boat racing and lodging options, visit http://www.montanadragonboat.com.