About the Festival

Objectives

• To promote the goodwill of corporate sponsors throughout Huntsville, Ontario and the surrounding area
• To share the tradition of Dragon Boat racing with other Ontario communities
• To promote a festival atmosphere featuring athletic contests and other cultural activities to enhance the quality of community life in a beautiful waterfront setting

The Event

The 5th Annual Bell Huntsville Dragonboat Festival will commence on Saturday August 9th, with the Opening Ceremonies followed by a full day of racing.

40 racing teams and over 5000 spectators from a variety of companies, organizations, families and friends will enjoy a fun-filled day of racing on Hunters Bay with a majority of the festivities taking place at Avery Beach.

LOCATION MAP

THE RACE: Each race covers 500 metres with the emphasis on friendly competition, teamwork, and water safety. Each Dragon Boat team consists of 20 paddlers, a drummer, and a steersperson.

CONCESSIONS & ENTERTAINMENT: Over 20 concessions will be present, representing local business selling everything from food and beverages to souvenirs, arts and crafts. A beer garden tent will be available throughout the event, along with live entertainment on Friday evening following the Flotillas.

SPONSORS: The event would not exist without the support of over 30 sponsors consisting of local businesses and organizations, who will ultimately benefit from the media exposure and community recognition.

Fundraising

This year's fundraising efforts will contribute to the:

• Commitment made on behalf of the Huntsville Hospital Auxiliary for the Day Surgery Ward of the Huntsville Hospital; and
• Commitment made on behalf of the Rotary Club of Huntsville/Lake of Bays to Chrysalis, Huntsville's women shelter

With 40 teams, 1000 paddlers, 5000+ spectators, 20+ concessions, and over 30 sponsors, the target is to raise net proceeds greater than $60,000.00.

History

For 2,400 years, dragon boat racing has been an important part of Chinese culture, and a celebration of life. The dragon is the most venerated of the Chinese zodiac deities and symbolizes control over the water. According to the legend, Qu Yuan, a Chinese statesman and poet, drowned himself in the Mi Lo River in 400 B.C. to protest the corrupt regime of the Chu Dynasty. Fishermen who saw him raced out to save him, but failed. To prevent his body from being eaten by fish, they beat the waters with their paddles and threw rice dumplings wrapped in silk into the water as a sacrifice to his spirit. The act of those fishermen racing out to save him is re-enacted in the form of dragon boat races and is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth moon of the Chinese lunar calendar. Each anniversary, dragon-headed boats race out on the waters to commemorate Qu Yuan and to scare away demons. Today, Dragon Boat races are held on every continent. Each festival brings together hundreds of people from the public, private and volunteer sectors. In addition to the races, participants and spectators alike enjoy exciting activities and entertainment.