Barrie residents recognize it as the beginning of the end of summer – indeed, many of them circle it on their calendar, whether they’re there to take part or just lend support.
The annual Dragon Boat Festival hits the Barrie lakeshore Saturday, August 27, and many teams have been putting in the training hours to make their best showing.
The event is powered by the Barrie Public Library, and festival director Chris VanderKruys says it dates back several years.
“The event has been happening since 2003 and was an idea of our development office at the time as well as a few community members such as Bruce Saunders who passed away of cancer (there is an award after Saunders as he was a dragon boat enthusiast) a few years later.”
The day gets underway bright and early at 7 a.m. with the Awakening of the Dragon ceremony, at the dock marshalling area of Heritage Park, with the first heats starting at 7:45. VanderKruys suggests that many residents, who, before that, might never have pictured themselves as athletes, come to the event to compete.
And this year, he adds, there’s a fair cross-section of paddling teams.
“We have eight Base Borden teams, (as well as) various business in the community such as Moore Packaging, Faris Real Estate and many charities that use it as their main fundraiser and also groups of friends.”
But, given as there are so many paddlers in the boat, a lot depends on the ability to work together, and that’s where training comes in.
“They get two practices throughout the summer for their team but many purchase more practices as well hiring a coach to really learn the sport.”
On Saturday, besides the competitions, which wrap up soon after 3:30, there’s a “Kid Zone”, a Spirit of the Dragon series of concerts, a beer tent for after the paddlers are through racing, and post-race entertainment in the dragon’s lair.
And VanderKruys says, the scorching temperatures this summer have not been a hindrance to training at all. “Many are out every night throughout the summer and even on weekends as it has been nice.”
But no matter who crosses the finish line, the big winners are a slew of charities, most notably the library itself. Over the last few years, VanderKruys says, more than $1.5 million has been raised.
“(What’s more), the teams raise money for the charity of their choice and that is the idea. We want to encourage people to always think of charities and their needs in our community so we create a fun environment for not only team-building and camaraderie, but also to think of those charities and what they do for our community.”
Lastly, he says, the uniqueness of the Dragon Boat Festival as the only water-based festival in town helps show off the city of Barrie, something VanderKruys says is vital.
“We need to showcase what Barrie has to offer, not only for those visiting, but also for those wishing to set up a business and live here. The city of Barrie has been a great supporter of the festival from logistics, space for the boats at the docks and also the Heritage Park which is our home base for the summer and the festival.”
He is also uncharacteristically loud about the library and its role. “The Library is the hub of the community and we are here to help people imagine, learn, experience and build community.”
The Dragon Boat Festival takes over Barrie’s Waterfront Saturday, August 27.
