66 teams set to tackle Henderson Lake

ANNUAL ATB ROTARY DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL BEGINS TODAY

You don’t need a paddle — just come for the fun!

That’s the invitation from organizers of this year’s dragon boat festival, tonight through Sunday at Henderson Lake. And there’s plenty for children to do, they add.

“It’s a family-friendly weekend,” says Roy Pogorzelski, speaking for the ATB Financial Rotary Lethbridge Dragon Boat Festival. “And there’s entertainment all day.”

The high-spirited event opens today at 6 p.m., he points out, and Rotary members hope to see Lethbridge residents turn up and meet some of the local and visiting paddlers ahead of Saturday’s head-to-head competition.

There’s no charge for spectators or families who come to enjoy the entertainment and other attractions, and there will be plenty of food vendors in the park.

Dusty Lee Litchfield will start the music rolling today at 5 p.m., Pogorzelski says, and “happy hour” prices will be in effect afternoon and evening in the beer gardens. Also on today’s entertainment schedule are Who’s Yer Daddy, the Desert Wind Belly Dancers, Alyssa McQuaid and Coyote Junction.

Mascots including “Kodi the Kodiak” from Lethbridge College and “Digger” from Atco Gas will welcome children to “Kidzone” activities, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Dragon face tattoos, balloon animals, an Astro Jump and lantern decorating will be among the activities offered, along with a show by Rufus the Mime, or Princesses and Pirates.”

On the lake, Pogorzelski says 66 teams will be battling it out for Lethbridge honours this year, up from 52 a year ago. Half are from out of town, some from as far distant as Regina.

“There’s definitely some strong competition,” he says.

While there are 25 women’s teams, and two are entered in the youth category, the balance are “mixed” with a minimum of eight women paddling.

Races start Saturday with women’s qualifying events at 8 a.m., mixed team qualifiers after 9 a.m. youth and men’s challenges at 10:30 a.m. followed by the “C Cup Challenge.”

This year’s Festival Rose Ceremony, remembering teammates and friends who’ve lost their battle with cancer, is planned for noon Saturday.

More qualifying heats and challenges will run through the afternoon. Entertainment is expected to run through the day and into the evening.

Semifinal events will start Sunday at 8 a.m., with competition finals beginning at noon. Award presentations and other closing ceremonies are schedule for 4 p.m.

While weather is a concern at all dragon boat events, Pogorzelski says the forecast looks positive.

“There’s never been a year when (adverse weather) has ended the weekend of races,” he says.

Follow @DMabellHerald on Twitter