Dragon boats race on Sept. 8

Billed as the eighth-fastest growing sport in the world, dragon boat racing will come to the Flathead Lake Lodge on Flathead Lake on Saturday, Sept. 8, with heats beginning at 8:30 a.m., opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. and championship races at 4:30 p.m.

Festival organizers have registered 55 teams with 1,210 participants for the first dragon boat races in Montana. Local teams have been practicing their paddling skills on Somers Bay.

Each team includes 20 paddlers, a drummer and a person steering. They will ride in a Hong Kong-style 46-foot long boat with a dragon’s head at the bow and a dragon’s tail at the stern.

Out-of-state teams will be coming from Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Washington, Alberta and British Columbia. Teams from Bozeman, Helena and Missoula will also compete.

In addition to racing, there will be food and beverage vendors, kids activities, entertainment and artisans. Bus transportation from Kalispell will be available. For more information, visit online at www.montanadragonboat.com.