Have you seen a dragon around town?
A 45-foot dragon boat slithered through the Faith Fourth of July parade and has been spotted recently at a variety of local venues, including Trinity Oaks, Greystone Salon & Spa and downtown Salisbury’s Krazy Night Out.
The Rowan County Chamber of Commerce is using the boat to drum up support and recruit volunteers for the Aug. 2 Dragon Boat Festival at Shrine Club on High Rock Lake. People interested in volunteering should contact the chamber at 704-633-4221.
This year marks the first dragon boat event in Rowan County, although the races are growing in popularity across the country, with more than 60 million participants worldwide. The chamber hopes to have 20 teams at the inaugural event, with 40 teams competing in three years.
Dragon boat racing is a 2,300-year-old tradition with roots in ancient China. The boats, complete with colorful dragon heads, tails and scales, seat 20 paddlers. A drummer sits in the bow pounding the drum to the beat of the paddlers’ stroke, and a steersperson stands in the stern guiding the team down the race course.
The race will be part of a day-long lakeside party with food, vendors and games.
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.