Dragon Boat Festival in 14th Year
By Warren Bender
This is the 14th year of this annual FREE, fun, family event with an opening parade and ceremony, many food vendors, premiere music and other acts, a beer garden, pancake breakfast, children’s activities, and closing ceremony.
As many as 2000 paddlers participate, and at any one time there may be 10,000 people on Barker’s Island.
The event is a partnership of Rotary Club of Superior, Harbortown Rotary of Duluth, and associate partner Superior Centennial Sunrise Rotary.
The festival adds a $2,000,000 plus shot in the arm to the local economy, and has earned $750,000 for Rotary grants, and $1,000,000 for charitable partners over its history. This year’s charitable partner is the Essentia Foundation, which channels these funds into breast cancer treatment and patient support.
Believe it or not, this is the largest dragon boat festival in Midwest. It is also an international festival featuring teams from Canada.
Superior Mayor Bruce Hagen, and the City Council of Superior have proclaimed August 21st & 22nd of 2015 as Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival Days.
PADDLERS are Still Needed
Would you like to paddle on Saturday, but aren’t a member of a team? Go to the Festival registration tent at 8 am Saturday, August 22, 2015. No experience is necessary to paddle, only a willingness to have fun!
You are guaranteed to participate in two races, and this is loads of fun for all involved. Call (218) 590-4464 for more information.
Breakfast Is Served
Each year at the Dragon Boat Festival, the Superior Optimist’s Club serves up a terrific pancake breakfast from 7-11 a.m. for only $5. What better way to get your paddle party going?!?
Warren Bender-LSDBF recruitment co chair
2428 Ogden Ave
Superior, WI 54880
(218) 590-4464