What’s New This Year?

There’s a lot more for people to do at this year’s Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival, even for those who don’t traditionally come to Little Lake to watch the paddling. Here are some of the new attractions you’ll find on Saturday at Del Crary Park and around the lake. FAMILY FUN ZONE - Families will want to come to Del Crary Park on Saturday, starting at 10 a.m., to join the Family Fun Zone, offering activities such as crafts, games, scavenger hunts, face-painting, a dress-up station and a photo booth. There’s free admission to the Fun Zone, which is open to everyone, but there will be donation receptacles for anyone wishing to donate to the festival. MARKET - Also new this year will be several food and artisan vendors at Del Crary Park. The festival teamed up with Modern Makers Market to offer this new attraction for the general public, as well as for paddlers to have more things to do in between racing. The changes offer something “fresh” for the beloved community festival, now in its 18th year, explains chairwoman Michelle Thornton. “Although we’re fundraising for a serious cause, this is a community festival,” Thornton says. “So we wanted to make it more fun and festive.” PINK TRIBUTE TENT - This tent is for people to leave a tribute to someone they have lost. Survivors Abreast members and Hospice volunteers will be there to listen and answer questions. SHUTTLE BUSES - There’s a new route for the shuttle buses this year, as well. Free shuttle buses will run all day courtesy of Coach Canada. Shuttle Bus Shuttle Bus #1 will run from the Evinrude Centre (south side) with a pick up at the Wolfe Street parking lot, and Bus #2 will run from the Simcoe Street City Bus Terminal with a stop at the King Street parking lot. The shuttles will run every 20 minutes with the first buses leaving the Evinrude Centre and City Bus Depot at 7:30 a.m. The last bus leaves the festival at 4:15 p.m.