The Dragon Boat Festival made its
debut last year where over 1,100 participants got the ride of their life in the
Tennessee River as a way to raise money for the Decatur Morgan Hospital
Foundation. Set for May 11 in the Point Mallard Park Aquatic Center, the event
promises to make waves again in 2013 as paddlers compete for medals and
bragging rights and spectators cheer on their favorite teams.
The Dragon Boat Race and Festival
is a unique cultural event featuring adrenaline-pumping action while also
serving as a fundraiser for the Decatur Morgan Hospital Foundation. Teams,
comprised of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a trained dragon boat steerer/coach,
will race in authentic Asian-style, 46-foot-long dragon boats. Teams may have
four alternates, for a total of 25 team members, or can race with a minimum of
16. There must be at least eight female paddlers and minimum age for adult
teams is 15 with parental consent. Each team is guaranteed at least two races
on the 250-meter race course with winners advancing to the finals.
Racing starts at 9 a.m. and events
last throughout the day until approximately 4 p.m., rain or shine. Spectators
may watch and cheer on their favorite team from the beach area of the Point
Mallard Aquatic Center or from the water at a safe distance from the race
course. The concession stand will be open throughout the event. Water Park
pools and rides will be closed.
Admission and parking are free.
Donations will be accepted with proceeds benefiting the Decatur General
Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization providing financial support to the programs
and services of Decatur Morgan Hospital.
Sponsors for the 2013 event
include Presenting Sponsor Toray, BP of Decatur, The Decatur Daily, Boeing,
Clear Channel, Daikin, Decatur Parks and Recreation, FOX 54, Garden Plaza Hotel
and Suites, Lynn Layton, Nucor, Temple, Inc., Valley Budweiser, Bryant Dental,
Decatur/Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Regions Bank, Pepsi of
Decatur, Point Mallard Park, Volunteer Center of Morgan County, and Warren
Averett Kimbrough and Marino.
Dragon boat racing is the eighth
fastest growing sport in the world, with more than 50 million people in 63
countries participating. The tradition of Dragon Boat Racing is an annual Asian
rite commemorating the idealistic poet and reformer Qu Yuan who drowned himself
in the third century B.C. to protest against his emperor’s policies. The locals
raced in their boats in an attempt to rescue the poet, and beat their drums and
splashed their paddles to prevent fish and water dragons from eating his body.
This was considered the beginning of Dragon Boat Racing. For more information
about dragon boat racing, visit www.racedragonboats.com.
For more information on the
Decatur Morgan Hospital Foundation Dragon Boat Race and Festival, visit www.decaturdragonboat.org.
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