-Messenger file picture Rowers battle it out on the water in the course of the 2017 Badger Lake Dragon Boat Bash at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park.
When the lengthy, skinny dragon boats glide onto the water of Badger Lake on August 13, they will be celebrating a particular anniversary.
This 12 months is the 25th anniversary of the Badger Lake Dragon Boat Bash.
It will likely be a two-day occasion with a live performance, fireworks and loads of racing motion, as dragon boats zip by means of the water powered by groups of 20 rowers.
“We’re very excited to have reached our 25th anniversary,” stated Linda Donner, one of many principal organizers of the occasion.
She stated the Dragon Boat Bash is one in every of two dragon boat races in Iowa, the opposite being in Dubuque. She added that, throughout the nation, many dragon boat festivals didn’t resume after the COVID pandemic.
“It is a enjoyable sport”, Donner stated.
He added that Badger Lake is a good place to observe the game as a result of it is primarily in a pure amphitheater.
Individuals can do greater than watch the races. Volunteers are nonetheless being sought to assist set up the occasion. To volunteer, go to www.bldba.com.
And it is also doable that space residents can experience a dragon boat as a part of a racing crew. Donner stated groups have been identified to come back up brief on race day. She stated there may be data on the web site about becoming a member of a crew.
He stated that between 15 and 20 groups are anticipated. That features 12 common house groups, plus these from Chicago, Kansas Metropolis and Wisconsin.
There might be varied prize attracts and raffles in the course of the races.
A silent public sale to profit the Most cancers Middle at UnityPoint Well being- Trinity Regional Medical Middle will start on August 12 and finish on August 13.
Band Okay, from Leavenworth, Kansas, will carry out on August 12. Band Okay performs traditional rock and nation music.
2022 occasion calendar
Badger Lake Kennedy Park, Fort Dodge, IA
Friday
August 12, 2022
5:30 p.m. Doorways open
18:00 kids’s video games
18:45 Presentation of colours
18:50 Presentation of the crew
7 to eight:30 pm Band Okay live performance
($5 tickets, out there at Hy-Vee)
20:30 Dragon Awakening Ceremony
9 to 10:30 pm Live performance by the Okay’ Band
(Tickets are $5, out there at Hy-Vee)
Fireworks to conclude the occasions of the night
Saturday
August 13, 2022
7:00 am to 10:00 am Lions Membership Midday Pancake Breakfast
eight:00 Captains assembly
eight:30 Racing all day
10:30 Cub Scout Rain Gutter Regatta
Breast Most cancers Survivor Ceremony
Prizes after the races
in regards to the boats
The boats for use within the races are Hong Kong-style dragon boats. Occasion organizer Linda Donner described them as racing projectiles that weigh 750 kilos when empty.
Throughout a race, every boat could have 20 rowers, a drummer, and an individual within the again who steers the boat.
Donner stated the 2 lead rowers on the entrance of the boat set the beat, and the drummer beats the drum to match their beat. By doing that, the drummer units the tempo for the remainder of the rowers.
in regards to the races
Between 15 and 20 groups are anticipated.
There are a number of ranges of competitors: Elite, Group, Breast Most cancers Survivors, and Junior and Junior.
The Group stage of competitors is split into gold, silver and bronze classes.
